Obit of Jose Francisco Esparza (e216) - Grady County, Oklahoma Submitted by: Sandi Carter 18 Jul 2002 ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. ====================================================================== The Chickasha Express-Star 18 June 2002 JOSE FRANCISCO ESPARZA Funeral Mass for Jose Francisco Esparza, 70, of Chickasha, Oklahoma will be held at 1 p.m., Wednesday, June 19, 2002, at Holy Name Catholic Church. Wake service will be held at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 18, 2002, in the Chapel of Sevier Funeral Home. JOSE FRANCISCO ESPARZA was born March 9, 1932, in San Antonio, Texas the son of Gregorio and Concepcion (Rodriguez) Esparza and died Sunday, June 16, 2002, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Mr. Esparza was a descendent of Gregorio Esparza who defended the Alamo during the battle for the independence of Texas. He and Hortencia Cantu were married May 17, 1954. They moved to Chickasha from Carter, Oklahoma 3 years ago. Mr. Esparza worked as a barber. He served in the U. S. Marines. He was preceded in death by: Parents; one daughter: Patty Nanez. Survivors include: Wife: Hortencia C. Esparza of the home; six daughters: Beatrice Morgan of Lawton, Oklahoma, Diana Casey of Chickasha, Oklahoma, Horte ncia Contreras of Carter, Oklahoma, Maria G. Lopez of Sentinel, Oklahoma, Mary Jane Oliver of Clinton, Oklahoma, Simona Johnson of Elk City, Oklahoma; five sons: J. Frank Esparza, Jr., Norman, Oklahoma, Abel Esparza of Shawnee, Oklahoma, John Paul Esparza of Oklahoma City, Greg T. Esparza of Shawnee, Oklahoma, Willie Esparza of Plainview, Texas; two sisters: Cruz Garza of Pleasanton, Texas, Lourdes Garza of Arizona; one brother, Luis Esparza of Pleasanton, Texas; 26 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren. Interment will be in the Fairlawn Cemetery under the direction of Sevier Funeral Home. ==================== The Chickasha Express-Star 21 June 2002 JOSE FRANCISCO ESPARZA Jose Francisco Esparza was born on March 9, 1932, in early morning in the town of Pleasanton, Texas to Gregorio Thomas and Maria Concepcion Esparza. He went to school at Edgewood High in San Antonio, Texas and shortly thereafter worked at Nelson Tannery where he met his wife, Hortencia Cantu Esparza. They were married on May 17, 1954, and honeymooned at Three Rivers in San Antonio, Texas. They were married 48 years. They are the parents of 6 sons and 7 daughters who are as follows: First son miscarried late in pregnancy, 1st daughter Patty, 45 years old, recently passed away on November 20, 2001. Jose Frank Esparza, Jr., 45 years old; BB, 44 years old; Diane, 43 years old; John Paul, 34 years old; Simona, 33 years old; Greg III is 31 years old, and Willie Esparza is 28 years old. Frank has 28 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren and still many more to come. He served in the Marines during the Korean War from 1951 to 1955 in Fifth Marines Guard Duty. Frank is a jack of all trades and masters a few, too. Being a professional barber/beautician, and animal lover. When Frank was younger one of his favorite hobbies was breaking and training horses and fighting roosters. He was great at both. He was a great man and was loved by all who knew him.