Brijido Esparza

Brijido Esparza, age 95, passed away in the morning of April 6, 2022.

Brijido was born on October 8, 1926, in Big Spring, Tx to Bartolo and Jesusita Esparza, and grew up in Rankin. On March 29, 1945, he was drafted into the Army where he reported to Fort Bliss in El Paso for basic training. On September 22, 1945, he was sent to Okinawa, Japan where he did his foreign duties with the 1391st Military Police Company for just over a year. He returned home safely on October 17, 1946, after the US Demobilized after the war was over, and he was Honorably Discharged on December 2, 1946.

Just a few years after being out of the military, he married the love of his life, Catarina Franco Esparza, on September 14, 1949. They settled in Rankin, Tx where they raised their three children Brijido Jr, Yolanda, and Naldo. They spent nearly 70 years in Rankin before moving to Odessa to be closer to family.

Brijido worked for 36 years with Sante Fe railroads in Rankin, before retiring and spending his time adding onto their house in Rankin, and following around his son, Naldo, wherever he was coaching. He loved to go watch games where Naldo was coaching, and later loved going to watch all his grandchildren, and great grandchildren compete in any sport they played.

Brijido was also a skilled gambler and pool shark. There were many late nights spent in the pool hall and big room where money was on the line. He was fully prepared to teach people of all ages a lesson when it came to either of those. There was also not a Square Board for any Cowboys game or big game going on, that you wouldn’t see his name on, or names of his grandchildren that he had bought squares for. Just like his wife, Catarina, he was one of the most giving people you will ever know.

Brijido was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Catarina , son, Brijido Jr, and granddaughter Davene Abalos. He is survived by his daughter, Yolanda and her husband Rosendo Abalos of Odessa, and son, Naldo and his wife Leigh Anne of Crane. He is survived by five grandchildren: Joaquin (Stephanie) Abalos, Paula Abalos, Tyler (Tatiana) Esparza, Teague (Lauren) Esparza, and Baylor Esparza. He had 9 Great Grandchildren: Caty Pacheco, Amber Peacock, Rey Pacheco, Cain (Jessica) Abalos, Molly Abalos, Taylen Esparza, Tiger Esparza, Grayson Rocha, and Niko Abalos. He also has 4 Great- great grandchildren, Gabriela, Vincent, Oaklyn, Zaria, and Malayah. Brijido is survived by one sister Josie Mata. He survived 9 other brother and sisters. (Micaela Hario, Andres Abalos, Henry Abalos, Natalia Sandoval, Nativida Pulido, Rito Abalos, Lupe Barrandey, Juan Abalos, Lola Watson, and Rita Abalos) Brijido also had many beloved cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Rosary will be held Monday April 11th @ 7 PM at Nichols funeral home in Crane. Funeral services will be held in Rankin beginning at 11 am at Rankin Park Building on Tuesday April 12th. The burial will follow at the Rankin Cemetery.