Charles S. Espinoza , age 66 of Maxwell, New Mexico passed away peacefully on July 2nd,2104 in
Raton surrounded by his family. He was born April, 17th , 1948 to Floyd Espinoza and Esther Cruz
Espinoza in Raton, NM.
Charles attended all years of school in Maxwell and graduated in May of 1967. During his school years
Charles played basketball and baseball. He served as a alter boy til he was a senior in high school.
During his high school summers he always assisted his father in building several homes in the Maxwell area. He also spent summers working with local farmers.
After he graduated he attended Denver Automotive Tech Center in 1967 and 1968. In 1969 he volunteered
For the U S Army. He attended basic training in Fort Ord in California then attended Specialist Training
At Fort Huachuca in Arizona, and also special trained in South Carolina. In 1970 Charles was deployed to
Vietnam arriving in Cam-Ranh Bay then served his tour in Vietnam in Quang Tri South Vietnam serving 1-77th armored division. He then served as a tank mechanic during his tour of duty ( he received the Purple Heart). After receiving the Purple Heart, he served the last year of service in a base near Frankfurt Germany.
Upon returning from the Army, Charles met and married Gloria Sanchez Espinoza on September 2, 1972.
They were married for 39 years.
During his life, along with going to school in Denver and the Army, he worked for Brown Construction and
Then went to work at Kaiser Steel Coal Mines , working there for 30 years.
He was a member of St. Vincent De PaulCatholic Church in Maxwell, a member of the Knights of Columbus. He also served on the City Council for the Village of Maxwell and was a fire fighter, part of
UMWA 7949 and was currently the resident Council President at Miners Long Term Care.
While his children were attending school he assisted them in sports and all activities. He loved fishing,
Hunting and in his younger years he enjoyed drag racing. He enjoyed taking his family camping and loved
Family gatherings. He loved dancing with his wife Gloria. He was an avid San Diego Chargers fan and
Watched wrestling quite frequently.
Charles was preceded in death by his wife Gloria, father, Floyd Espinoza, his sister Pat Lopez, his maternal
And paternal grandparents, his godfather, Uncle Johnny Espinoza, Uncle Joe Lovato, Uncle Herman Martinez, Uncle Pete Aguero, Uncle Chris and Aunt Margaret Cruz, Uncle Tony and Bea Garcia, Aunt Lillian Chavez and special cousin Gary Grine. Sisters-in -law Adelina Armijo and Arthur Armijo.
Brothers-in -law Eloy and Raymond Sanchez, Manuel Martinez, Nestor Cordova and Joe Montano, and
Numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Charles is survived by his mother Esther of Maxwell, son Charles and wife Maggie of Alvard, Texas,
Daughter Marcia Trujillo and husband Chris of Portales. Son Chris and wife Jennifer of Raton. Grand
Children Moriah and Shane Trujillo, Cody and Cade Espinoza, Maddison Curt and Macy Espinoza who
Meant the world to him. Brother Daniel and wife Barb of Grand Junction, Co., brother-in-law Rich Lopez
Of Raton. His godmother and aunt Cora De Aguero, Aunt Pauline Martinez, Uncle Fidel Chavez, Aunt
Minerva Lavato, Uncle Al Richad, Aunt Mary Espinoza. Sister-in-laws Beatrice Martinez, Lillian Cordova,Teresina Monntano, Eloise and husband George, Carmel and husband Johnny. Brother-in-laws
Benny and Daniel Sanchez and Eloy and Gloria Gonzales.
Visitation will be Tuesday July 8, 2014 from 2:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. at the Yaksich-Long Funeral Home in Raton. Recitation of the Most Holy Rosary will be Wednesday July 9, 2014 at 10:30 A.M. at the St. Vincent De Paul Catholic Church in Maxwell, Mass of the Resurrection will follow at 11:00 A.M. with Father Emmanuel Izuka as the celebrant rite of Christian Burial will follow at the Maxwell Cemetery.
Arrangements and celebration of love for Charles S. Espinoza are under the direction of the Yaksich-Long Funeral Home of Raton.
Mary and I are so sorry to hear of your loss. God bless you all.