Joe Esparza

Mr. Joe Esparza, age 82 of Gatesville, passed away on Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at a local nursing center. Funeral Services will be held at 4:00 P.M. Thursday, January 26th at Scott’s Funeral Home with Deral McWhorter officiating. Burial will follow at Weaver Chapel Cemetery. The family will receive visitors at the funeral home one hour prior to the service. Joe was born on December 5, 1929 in Ames, Texas to the late Epigmenio M. Esparza and Marie Garcia Esparza. He grew up on the Liljeblad Ranch until he was sixteen years old and attended school in the Ames community. Joe worked, as a young man, at Stillman’s Dry Goods Store. It was during this time that he met Christine Fleming. They married on September 26, 1954 in Gatesville. Joe then went to work for the State School for Boys. Joe went to work later for Hercules, from where he retired. He loved farming and ranching. He also enjoyed going hunting and fishing with his daughters and grandkids. He was a member of the Cedar Ridge Church of Christ. Joe was a loving husband and father and a wonderful PeePaw. Joe is preceded in death by his parents; his oldest brother, Indalecio Esparza; sister, Nellie Corona and his son in law Rusty Ewing. Joe is survived by his wife Christine Esparza of Gatesville; daughters, Becky Ewing of Oglesby and Della Altum and husband Tommy of Gatesville; grandsons, Trent Altum of Gatesville and Joseph Ewing of Oglesby; granddaughter, Ashley Altum of Gatesville; and great-granddaughter, Trysten Altum of Gatesville; brothers, Manuel Esparza of Gatesville, John Esparza and wife Retha of Washington, Robert Esparza of Florida, and Lupe Esparza and wife Lenora of Gatesville. In Lieu of flowers the family has requested that memorials be made to the Cedar Ridge Church of Christ or to the Weaver Chapel Cemetery Assn.