Vietnam War Veteran and Retired Educator Longino V. Esparza Passes Away at Age 75
By: Ricardo E. Calderon, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2021
Eagle Pass native son, Vietnam War Veteran, and retired Educator Longino V. Esparza passed away on Saturday, February 20, 2021 at the age of 75 years old in Eagle Pass, Texas.
Longino V. Esparza was born on August 17, 1945 in Eagle Pass, Texas to Manuel Esparza and Refugia Valdez de Esparza.
Like many young American men during the 1960s, Esparza graduated from Eagle Pass High School in May 1965 and was immediately drafted by the United States Selective Service Commission to serve in the United States Army in the Vietnam War.
Esparza served valiantly and honorably in the U.S. Army for two years from 1965 to 1967 with a tour of duty in the Vietnam War for one year and two months, receiving an honorable discharge in 1967.
Esparza married his sweetheart, Maria Guadalupe Ramos de Esparza, on December 24, 1965, upon completing his basic training in the U.S. Army and before being deployed to Vietnam.
Upon his return from military service, Esparza worked at Riskind’s (department store) as a sales clerk and attended Southwest Texas Junior College with his G.I. benefits, earning an Associate of Arts degree in May 1972.
Esparza pursued his dream of becoming a teacher and helping to make a difference in the lives of young students by continuing his education at the University of Texas at Austin, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education in 1974.
His hometown public school district, Eagle Pass Independent School District, offered Esparza employment as an elementary school teacher in 1974, where he went on to serve a total of 30 years as an educator until his retirement in 2003.
While working at the Eagle Pass Independent School District, Esparza furthered his education by enrolling and graduating with a Master of Science degree in Bilingual Education in 1981 from Texas A & I University-Kingsville, now recognized as Texas A & M University-Kingsville.
Esparza was highly regarded by his colleagues, administrators, parents, and students as an outstanding teacher genuinely interested in educating his students in math, science, and social studies during his 30 years as a public educator. He possessed a likable and friendly personality and easily made friends with everyone he worked with or taught. He enjoyed enhancing his students education and on a personal level loved all genres of music. He earned several TAAS Awards while working at Graves Elementary for his students achieving 95% or greater pass rates in math. The Eagle Pass Independent School District awarded him a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003 upon his retirement. He will be greatly missed by family, colleagues, and friends.
Esparza is preceded in death by his parents, Manuel Esparza and Refugia Valdez de Esparza; his sister, Marina Esparza; and his brother, Enrique Esparza.
Surviving Esparza are his wife of over 55 years, Maria Guadalupe Esparza; his children, Anita Gomez (Pedro), Olga Lydia Negrete (Jorge), Eloy Longino (Diana), Rene Rodrigo (Kerrie); grandchildren, Pedro and Annika Gomez, Jorge Jesus and Laura Alexandra Negrete, and Julia Nicole, Eloy Longino, Jr., Troy Eric, Justin Nicolas Esparza (Reina); great grandchildren, Ramon and Hanly Love Villagomes, Michael and Elektra Esparza; his brothers and sisters, Magdalena Silva, Gilberto Esparza, Manuel Esparza, Armandina Esparza, Elizabeth Esparza Magallan, Alfredo Esparza, Rosa Esparza, and Ana Luisa Esparza; and his step-brothers and sisters, Felicita Esparza, Ernesto Esparza, Samuel Esparza, Joel Esparza,and Aide Esparza; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and other family members.
Esparza’s funeral arrangements are under the direction of Yeager-Barrera Mortuary, 1613 Del Rio Blvd., Eagle Pass, Texas 78852, Telephone No. (830) 773-3211.
Visitation will be held on Friday, March 5, 2021 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. with a Rosary at 7 p.m. at Yeager-Barrera Mortuary.
Esparza will receive a U.S. military burial ceremony and interment on Tuesday, March 23, 2021 at 9:30 a.m. at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas.
Rest In Peace, Comrade Longino V. Esparza.
