Fernando Z. Escobedo went to be with his Lord and Savior on February 8, 2021. He was proceeded in death by his parents Zaragoza and Mary Elizabeth Escobedo, sister Alma Elizabeth Adams and niece Alma Lee Amende. He is survived by his wife Alberta Ann Escobedo, his siblings Virginia Ruth Willis and Samuel Walter Escobedo, his daughter Barbara Ann Escobedo, his son Jeffrey Kirk Escobedo and wife Joyce Escobedo and his grandchildren Austin Connor and Jacquelyn Kay Escobedo.
Fernando was born in Eagle Pass on September 24, 1934 and was given his first nickname because his older sister could not say ‘hermanito’, he became known as ‘Mani’. He grew up in a loving Christian home where family gatherings and church were the focal point. Mani went to Crockett Elementary and Burbank Middle School. Mani was a Boy Scout and at Burbank High School, he was in the Army ROTC.
After high school graduation, he joined the Marines and then transferred to the Navy. He served on the U.S.S Intrepid and separated from the military in 1956. Mani then began a civil service career at Kelly Air Force Base.
At Kelly, is where he received his second nickname. His pals at Kelly, called him “Scooby” and the name stuck. Also at Kelly is where he met a beautiful young girl named Alberta.
Scooby introduced himself to her one day while she was at her desk. Alberta now reports, she was really trying to work, but he stayed and visited. She says that the other girls in the office, were leaning back in their chairs trying to hear the conversation. She says that he nervously unfolded paper clips while they talked and he had a pile left on her desk by the time they finished talking. The next day, he called her and asked her out.
It was a whirlwind romance and on May 18, 1957 they eloped to Sequin, Texas and got married. Their first baby was a girl and about four and a half years later they had a son. Mani, Alberta, Barbara and Jeffrey were a tight-knit family that enjoyed family time at home and annual vacations. Mani and Alberta retired from Kelly Air Force Base in 1988. Mani was proud that he was affiliated in all four branches of the military. He participated in the Army ROTC, joined the Marines, served in the Navy and worked for 32 years in civil service under the Air Force. In retirement, they enjoyed many fishing trips to the coast.
In 1994, Mani and Alberta were blessed with their first grandchild. As doting grandparents, they took Austin everywhere, football games, out to breakfast and the park. In 1999, their blessings grew when Jacquelyn was born and they continued to shower the grandchildren with love. Mani garnered his most important nickname of all. Austin called him ‘Papo’.
Papo’s capacity to love was never as obvious as when you would see the sparkle in his eyes when he watched his grandchildren… at karate, in choir, ballet, cheerleading, piano and every single event from kindergarten to graduation.
Fernando, Mani, Scooby, Papo, no matter the name you were known by, you were a good man and you will be missed and loved forever.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 2nd from 6-8 pm at the Sunset Funeral Home Chapel. There will be another Visitation time on Wednesday, March 3rd from 1-2 pm in the Sunset Funeral Home Chapel with a Funeral Service to follow at 2:00 pm.
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