Thomas Esparza

Thomas Esparza left this world on Jan. 25 at the age of 66.

Funeral mass is under the direction of Buffington Funeral Home in Gonzales, Texas and will be held on Friday, Feb. 1 at 2 p.m. at Saint James Catholic Church in Gonzales, Texas with Father Mike Peinemann officiating. Interment will follow at Saint James Catholic Cemetery in Gonzales, Texas. A rosary will be recited on Thursday, Jan. 31 at 7 p.m. at Saint James Catholic Church with Deacon Alfonso Moreno officiating.

Thomas was born on Dec. 22, 1952 in Gonzales, Texas. He was the son of Casimiro and Conception (Camarillo) Esparza. He was a graduate of Gonzales High School. He married Maria Alvarez on May 30, 1992 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Gonzales, Texas. He liked to listen to music and he could tell you the name of a song as well as who was singing it. He enjoyed taking care of his flower and vegetable gardens. Thomas was a huge fan of the Dallas Cowboys. He liked to read different books. Thomas enjoyed having a BBQ with family and friends. Thomas worked at Purina Mills for 48 years where he started as a janitor and worked his way up the ladder. The last company to buy out Purina Mills is now Land O Lakes Purina Mills, Inc. Thomas was still not ready to retire so he continued work. He loved people and he believed that if you were kind to people, that’s all that mattered. He made friends of all race, color and nationality. He was and will always be remembered as a great man.

Thomas is survived by his wife Maria A. Esparza and his children Michael Ray Esparza, Dain B. Kuntschik, and a daughter Reba B. Kuntschik, all of Gonzales, Texas, one grandson Cristian Ruben Hernandez, four sisters: Natalie Eureste and Maria Esparza of Gonzales, Texas Guadalupe Esparza and Connie Olmos and her husband Joe of Fort Worth, Texas, four brothers: John Esparza, Fred Esparza, Armando Esparza, and Casey Esparza and his wife, Rosario of Gonzales, one brother-in-law; Pete Olmos of Fort Worth, Texas, several nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; Casimiro and Conception Esparza; five brothers; Joe Esparza, Jesse Esparza, Ruben Felix Esparza, Angel Esparza, and Ray Esparza, two sisters: Candelaria Olmos and Rosalinda Esparza.

Special thanks to the Gonzales EMS for your caring and working so hard to save our loved one. For the Methodist Air Flight thank you for caring for our loved one and finally a big thank you to the ICU Care Department for being so caring and working so hard to save our loved one. God bless each of you.

Pallbearers for Mr. Esparza will be; Cosme Molina, Franco DeLeon, Henry Martinez, Hilario Camarillo, William Nesbitt, and Joe Canales, Honorary Pallbearers will be; Ronnie Hidalgo, and Joe Ortiz.

To join the family in celebrating Thomas’ life and to offer words of comfort, please go to: www.buffingtonfuneralhomegonzales.com.