Obituary

Mr. Roque Espinosa, Jr. of Avondale, Arizona died November 1, 2022 at the age of 77. He was born October 1, 1945 in Poteet, Texas to Roque Espinosa, Sr. and Juanita Pena. He was preceded in death by his wife, Eleanor Tequida Espinosa; parents Roque Espinosa, Sr. and Juanita Pena; brother, Criselio Espinosa, and sisters Janie Ortiz and Nancy Palomo. He is survived by his son, Roque Reggie Espinosa; daughter, Rene Michelle Espinosa; brother, Guillermo “Billy” Espinosa; sister, Sylvia Madrigal; grandchildren Alexis Espinosa, Gabrielle Ramirez, Derek Rivera, and Gilbert Rivera; and great-grandchildren, Aidan, Ryan, Julianne, Jackson, Jailynn, and Derek, Jr.

Roque was the third of four children born to Roque Espinosa, Sr. and Juanita Pena. He moved to Buckeye, Arizona in 1959 and attended Buckeye High School, where he was a punter and full back on the football team. When he graduated, he initially worked in the fields around the West Valley, but enlisted in the United States Army when his brother was drafted. He served his two years of duty overseas in Germany. Roque returned to Arizona in 1968 and married Eleanor Tequida on June 8^th of that year. Their son, Roque Reggie, was born in 1969 and their daughter, Rene Michelle followed in 1971. The family lived in Buckeye and Cashion before purchasing a home in Avondale in 1976.

Roque completed a Bachelor’s Degree in business administration, but soon realized that office life did not suit him. He was introduced to the moving industry by his brother-in-law, Duane Bower. He worked for a few different moving companies until he signed on with Atlas Van Lines, where he worked for over 30 years of his 40+ year career. He received many awards over the years, but the most impressive was his Two Million Mile Accident-Free award. During his long hours of driving across the country, he enjoyed listening to most styles of music. But Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and Otis Redding were some of his favorites.

He enjoyed camping and fishing with family and friends. They would spend many vacations, holidays, and weekends at the desert lakes or up north at Woods Canyon Lake near Payson Arizona. He also enjoyed touring Arizona with his wife and good friends James and Billie Bostic. Roque enjoyed playing poker with his son and friends, Alfred Frausto, Frank and Nena Aragon, and Richard and Debbie Pina among many others. He also liked to try his luck at the casino.

He was a true Cowboy Western movie and tv show fan. John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, Yul Brenner were his favorites. His favorite TV shows were Gunsmoke, Tales of Wells Fargo, and Cheyenne. He also liked war movies like the Dirty Dozen, The Big Red One and Midway. He was a true sports fan. His favorite teams were the Los Angeles Dodgers, the now Las Vegas Raiders, Phoenix Suns, and his beloved Arizona State Sun Devils. He also teamed up with his friend Ernie Olguin to coach his son’s baseball team the Pirates. He had a passion for cars, sports cars especially. In his younger years he had a Porsche, Corvette, Firebird, GTO, his father’s Ford Falcon, and a beloved 1955 Chevy Nomad wagon. He enjoyed working on them and doing repairs for family and friends.

Roque was a gifted storyteller; he may have missed his calling as his “stories” were all “true.” Some would call him stubborn and opinionated. He was someone that was very sure of himself. It was his way or the highway because he was right. But, in the true spirit of a giving heart, the Espinosa house was always open to family or friends in need. There was always a room to stay for a day or a year, somewhere to rest, get a bite to eat or a shoulder to cry on. All were welcome.

Roque enjoyed spoiling his family, especially his daughter Rene. He sent her to Europe with one of her friends as a graduation present. Her friend Julie Stein would also get special treatment. He and his wife loved all their grandkids very much, and they made it obvious by providing anything they could for them all. From gifts, trips, attending dance competitions or sports games when they were in town, the grandkids were shown just how much they meant to their grandparents.

A visitation will be held at 8AM on Thursday, November 10, 2022 at Thompson Funeral Chapel. The funeral service will begin at 9AM. Burial will take place at Holy Cross Cemetery at Noon. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6310.