December 20, 1938 - December 22, 2022
Julio (Jay) Esparza, age 84, of Snowflake, AZ, passed away Thursday, December 22, 2022, at the Denver Hospice Inpatient Care Center. Julio was born in Berthoud, Colorado to Santos and Mercedes Esparza.
He attended a variety of rural schools in Larimer County, Colorado, as well as Greeley, Colorado schools, and at the age of 20, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and gave himself to his county by serving from 1959 to 1969 with the Alpha Company, Antos Battalion, and 3rd Marine Division. He spent two tours in Vietnam, with most of his combat out of Da Nang and Phu Bai. He was awarded two Purple Hearts. One in 1968 and another in 1969 for dedicated sacrifices to his country. A major injury finally forced him out of Military Service in 1970; even then, he never wavered in his values and commitment to his country.
After an honorable discharge, Julio spent several years back in Greeley, Colorado by, working and connecting with family again. He was at family gatherings through many happy moments as well as very sad ones.
Julio then settled in Snowflake, AZ, in 1980. He provided services to the Snowflake Unified Public Schools as a bus driver. He had great connections with a great number of students as a bus driver and said many times that those were the best years, connecting and providing a great deal of modeling for kids. His love of children was the center of his career. He retired in 2012 and began another part of life by fishing, camping, and entertaining with his military buddies. He enjoyed sharing stories and their companionship at this time of his life.
He is survived by his children: Christopher Esparza of Denver, Colorado; Angela Esparza of Rosamund, California; 5 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Sisters: Rae Baker, Mary Pisano, and Vicky Esparza of Greeley, Colorado; Ruth Romero of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Betty Pinon of Briggsdale, and Paula Salgado of Lexington, Nebraska
Brothers: Nino Esparza of Redlands, California; Conrad Esparza, Sam Esparza, and Dave Esparza of Greeley, Colorado; and Jesse Esparza of Brighton, Colorado
Preceded in Death by Parents: Santos Esparza died February 1999, and Mercedes Esparza died September 2007; sister, Victoria Esparza died June 1935; brothers: Pantalion the 1st Esparza died May 1941; John Esparza died March 1977; Simon Esparza died November 1977; and Pantalion Esparza died February 1998.
Services:
Memorial Visitation - 4 to 8 pm Wednesday, Jan. 4th 2023 Stoddard Funeral Home Greeley, Colorado
Recitation of the Rosary - 6 pm Wednesday, January 4th Stoddard Funeral Home Greeley, Colorado
Mass of Christian burial - 11 am Thursday, January 5th at St. Mary’s Catholic Church Greeley, Colorado
Internment: Sunset Memorial Gardens, Greeley, Colorado at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, January 5th, 2023.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.stoddardsunset.com for the Esparza family.
