Juan Alberto Esquilin Rivera

Juan Alberto Esquilin Rivera was born on May 7, 1941, in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Within his 82 years of life, he was known as Son, Brother, Husband, Father, Grandfather, Ampa, Great Grandfather, Uncle, Superman, Hero, and Friend. He was a man of many titles and was the epitome of a well-loved and lived life, filled with many who loved and cared for him. As a child Juan was 1 of 12 siblings that he quickly had to take on a parental figure for. Many who he saw through from first breath to last. Being surrounded by his siblings was just the start of the family Juan would go on to create to live on and represent the Esquilin name.

He was loved by those that knew him, with the greatest love starting with his wife of 59 years. The love of the two grew to the love of many through the family they created when they married in 1962 and the three children they had following. Juan and Irma were the trunk of a strong family tree that will continue to blossom with as sweet a fruit as the orange tree Juan tended. They instilled deep roots of pride and the importance of family that would be passed down throughout the generations.

Juan was proud to serve his country for 27 years in the US Army as he rose the ranks to an E-7. As Sergeant 1st Class he won numerous awards for his talents in the kitchen. His passion for cooking and his will to create a better future for his family allowed him to serve his country all the way from Puerto Rico to Kentucky, Panama, California, Germany, Korea, and Texas where he proudly finished his military career.

Juan wore many hats in life but you would not catch him outside of the house without his well known veterans ball cap. Juan's cooking brought many together and many memories were made through his love for creating meals to share with those around him. From making authentic Puerto Rican dishes to being the lead barbecuer at the family picnic or even preparing the turkey for the Thanksgiving table. These past few years he had the opportunity to share his recipes and teach his culinary skills and philosophies with his children and his grandchildren. He loved to build and paint and always found a way to make something new or fix something that was broken. His love for ice cream was undefeated and he could never turn away a banana split. We will cherish learning about his childhood and his memories; through the stories he would tell about the good times and his Vida en Puerto Rico.

Juan truly lived a life where he can say, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith," 2 Timothy 4: 7. Surrounded by his family and with peace, on February 28th, 2024, Juan joined his Mother Santa Esquilin Rivera, Father Emilio Esquilin, 10 of 12 siblings and his Wife Irma S. Esquilin Sotomayor in the kingdom of the Lord. He is survived by his children Santa J. Caro, Juan A. Esquilin Jr. (Rebecca M. Esquilin), and Jessica A. Esquilin, his Sister Doris Esquilin, his grand children Bernadette J. Esquilin, Rudy T. Ruelas, Tony A. Caro, (Liza M. Caro), Desiree R. Esquilin, Dominique I. Esquilin, J. Daniel Vela, Sophia F. Caro, Johnathan L. Vela, and Mya Y. Almanzar, his great grandchildren Chanelle F. M. Sanders, Angelina J. Caro, Aryanna M. Caro, Aliyah F. N. Caro, Rudy T. Ruelas Jr., and Antonio A. Caro Jr, and even his fur grandchildren Diablo and Jazper.

A Visitation for Juan will be held Thursday March 21, 2024 from 6-8pm at Crawford Bowers Funeral Home in Copperas Cove. A Celebration of Life for Juan will be begin at 11am on Friday March 22 at Crawford Bowers Funeral Home followed by the Interment at Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery at 1pm.

We Love You Mucho, Mucho, Mucho!

Until we meet again!