Fernando Esparza, Jr.

Fernando was born in Laredo, Texas and raised in San Antonio, Texas. He began his military career with the Texas Air National Guard, and served in Korea, Itazuki AFB, Japan in 1950. After his discharge, he worked at Kelly AFB while attending Trinity University, receiving his BS in Mathematics. Joining the aerospace industry, he moved to Florida and worked briefly at RCA, later Honeywell and finally NASA, Kennedy Space Center, continuing his education at Florida Institute of Technology. In 1981 Fernando retired.

Fernando will be fondly remembered for his many years of distinguished and dedicated service within the Hispanic community. He was a proud patriot and Republican Party enthusiast.

He held the following positions: Republican Executive Committee of Brevard County, Treasurer; The Republican Hispanic Club of Brevard County, President; Alliance of Hispanics of the Space Coast, President; Hispanic Employment Program Manager, Kennedy Space Center; Club Hispano, Member; Americano de Brevard, President; Little League, Team Manager; US Air Force, Honorable Discharge.

His memory will remain in the hearts of his loving wife Olga, married for 64 years, his children, Gloria Marsh and her husband Leland, Fernando Esparza, III (deceased) his wife, Sandy Esparza, Sylvia Esparza and Olga Esparza; grandchildren, James D’Elosua II and his wife Minette, Alicia Norris and her husband Mark, Christina Lambert and her husband Monte, Nicole Nelson, Ryan Nelson and Fernando Esparza IV; and great grandchildren, Caroline Norris, Matthew Norris, Macy D’Elosua and James D’Elosua III.

In lieu of flowers the family is requesting donations be made to:

Hospice of St. Francis -- http://www.hospiceofstfrancis.com/you-can-help/

Wounded Warriors Project -- http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/give-back.aspx