On Friday, January 20, 2017, Jose Maria Esparza, my father, passed away. My family did not know that he had lung cancer until a week before his passing, which by then had spread to his bones. My father was planning to be cremated and had started his research about a month before his passing. However, he did not get very far in his plan, since the disease had spread quite aggressively, leaving him bedridden.

Jose Maria Esparza was a man who went out of his way to help and mentor people. He has worked for over 60 years as an entrepreneur, passionately running his Mariachi business. Music was his way of life. Even though he picked up other jobs along the way, working as a farm laborer, an LVN, a mechanic, a music instructor, he always came back to working as a Mariachi artist. He was always on the move, looking for his next adventure, traveling to Mexico and other parts of the world. He has left behind a legacy and inspiration of many stories that people will remember for a long time.

My family and I are asking for donations in lieu of flowers to cover cremation and service costs for Jose Maria Esparza. My father will have his viewing this coming Friday, January 27, 2017. Thank you very much from the bottom of our hearts for helping us out during this difficult time.

If you would like to attend his viewing, please contact Duoshellg Esparza, or leaving a comment on this page. She will respond as soon as possible.