Ruben Esparza Sr.

Ruben Esparza Sr. was born on October 20, 1941, in Cadereyta Jimenez, Nuevo Leon to Clara and Abelardo Esparza. He drifted into the arms of his loving Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, surrounded by his family, on February 19, 2024. He was 82 years old.

He is survived by his loving wife, whom he loved dearly, Maria Casas Esparza; two sons, Ruben Jr. and Ramiro Esparza (Sandra); three daughters, Amparo Mendez, Hermelinda “Betsy” Esparza, and Sonia Reyes (Gilbert); and his sister, Mary Lou Netro.

He loved each of his grandchildren: Ruben Esparza III, Ramiro Esparza, Jr., Elizabeth Ramos, Samantha Esparza, Robert Esparza, Stephanie Barron, Christopher Esparza, Jennifer Esparza, Breanna Lozano, and Andrew Mendez; and his great-grandchildren: Isabella Barron, Salem Esparza, August Esparza, Stephen Barron, Noelle Esparza, Avery Esparza, Matteo Esparza, and Mars Esparza.

Ruben is preceded in death by his parents, Abelardo and Clara Esparza; daughter, Aurora Esparza; son, Natividad Esparza; brothers, Roberto Esparza and Ramiro Esparza; and sisters, Aurora Esparza, Virginia Gonzales, Hermelinda Zuniga, Emma Pulido, Guadalupe Hernandez, and Janie Charles.

Early in life, Ruben met Maria Casas, his fiancé and partner-in-life. They have been together for 57 years. Ruben and Maria couldn’t be any more different, yet their personalities perfectly complemented each other.

Ruben was a man of few words but was well-respected and impacted many lives. He worked at the Houston Ship Channel as a longshoreman for several years and spent the rest of his working life as a steel burner and foreman up until his retirement.

Ruben did not have much of a formal education, but he was an avid reader and educated himself in many areas (finances, mechanics, construction, plumbing, electrical, astronomy, etc.). He loved hunting and fishing in his younger years, watching western movies, listening to classic country (particularly Johnny Cash), and was a die-hard Houston Astros and Texans fan. He loved to talk to those who loved sports as much as he did. His son Ramiro and his late sister, Guadalupe, called him often to discuss how games went. He knew so much about each team player; it was ingrained in him and not even a 2023 stroke could throw him off. He was a constant jokester, life with him was never boring. He was a member of Resurrection Catholic Church in Denver Harbor, Houston.

Visitation will be Tuesday, February 27, 2024 from 5:00pm – 8:00pm (Rosary at 7:00pm). The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, at 1:00pm at Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home (6900 Lawndale Avenue, Houston, TX 77023). Deacon and nephew, Fidel Andrade will be officiating this lovely service. The reception will be from 4:00pm – 6:00pm.