Jose “Sparky” Enrique Esparza

Jose “Sparky” Enrique Esparza Jr, -77, of Brownsville, TX, passed away on March 5, 2024.
His parents were Jose Enrique Esparza Sr. of El Ranchito and Eusebia Olivares of Skidmore, Sparky was born on July 4, 1946 at Mercy Hospital (Valley Baptist) in Brownsville, Texas.

He graduated from Brownsville High School in 1965.
He went on to study History and Government at Texas A&I, Pan American, Rice University graduated with BA, Education (A&I) M.ED (Pan Am) worked on a PHD from Rice University.

Jose “Sparky” served in the Army. In 1966 he enlisted and he served two tours in Vietnam.  On his first tour, he worked intel in Saigon. During his second tour, he served in the infantry.  After serving in the Army, he became a teacher.  He taught in Harlingen and started teaching at Pace High School the year the high school opened.  He taught some classes at UTB.  After approximately 35 years of service, he retired from BISD in 2006.

Sparky loved his country. Sparky loved his family and Sparky loved his students.  Each and every student was an extremely important part of his life.  Sparky looked forward to seeing his students every morning and was dedicated and truly concerned for their progress.  It was his desire to see his students succeed in their endeavors. 
Jose “Sparky” is survived by his sister Yolanda Myrta Molin (Kenneth Molin);  two children,  Yvonne Barraza (David Barraza) and Jose Enrique Esparza III (Anabel Esparza); and his 6 grandchildren Robert, Randall, Ashley, Guillermo, Mia and, Joseph Henry; and his four great grandchildren Robert Jr, Royce, Ariana and Jayce.

The family has entrusted Sunset Memorial Funeral Home with the arrangements. Visitation is scheduled from 1:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 14, 2024 with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home.  The chapel opens at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, March 15, 2024, at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home with Chapel Service scheduled at 10:00 a.m.  Interment is to follow at 11:00 a.m. to Buena Vista Burial Park where Sparky will be laid to rest.   Pastor Felipe De Leon will officiate the ceremony.

Services are under the guidance of Sunset Memorial Funeral Home, Crematory & Flower Shop. 657 Springmart Blvd., Brownsville, Texas. (956) 350-8485

To send flowers or a plant to the family in the memory of Mr. Jose Enrique Esparza, please visit Didi’s Flower Shop at Sunset Memorial, place your order online at https://didisflowershop.com/shop or call (956) 572-3872.