Edward Esparza, M.D.

Edward Esparza, M.D., was born to Cruz Esparza and Celestine Esparza (Dearborne) on October 20th, 1924, in Lena, LA. He entered eternal rest on October 30, 2021, peacefully at home in Oklahoma City with his family and three cats at his bedside. He was 97 years old.Edward lived a full and diverse life. He was the second of 12 siblings and the oldest son. He grew up in Arkansas City, KS until his family was transferred to Stillwater where Edward completed high school. He attended Oklahoma A&M (OSU) earning his B.S. degree in Industrial Engineering and subsequently began pre-med classes until he was drafted into the Army. He completed military officer school in 1950.In 1950, he served in active duty as a combat officer during the Korean War. He became a Captain in short order, serving two tours in Korea with distinction and honor. He was in the Battle of the Pusan Perimeter at the beginning of the Korean War. He served in the Army Corps of Combat Engineers as a company commander as well as in the United Nations Military Armistice Commission in which he was involved in marking and mapping the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea. He completed five years of active duty earning several medals including bronze and silver stars as well as a Purple Heart. He then returned home to civilian life upon completion of his missions.When Edward returned to his home in Stillwater, OK, from Korea he completed the prerequisite classes for medical school. He was accepted to the University of Oklahoma School of Medicine and earned his medical degree in 1959. It was also during this time he met the beautiful, love of his life, Christina Angel Gascon. Edward and Christina married on February 19, 1954, and were married 63 years. They have four children: Natalie Esparza (Bob), Monica Myers (Steve), Teresa Loveless (Tom) and Edward Esparza. Jr.Dr. Edward Esparza maintained a solo, General Practice and Surgery clinic for 40 years in Oklahoma City. He served much of the Hispanic community, made house calls, provided medical services to the indigent, and delivered hundreds of babies during his career. He loved being a physician.Edward was involved with numerous committees and projects including Oklahoma Hispanic Center Founder, Oklahoma Hispanic Professional As sociation, Governor's Advisory Committee on Hispanic Affairs, Archbishop's Commission for Hispanic Affairs, American GI forum, and Pan-American Golf Association, to name a few.Edward was an advocate for higher education encouraging family, friends, and acquaintances to obtain the best education possible and that one was never too old to stop learning. He attended college classes well into his late 80's.Edward was an avid golfer. He loved to read, listen to music, go dancing, play poker, go deep sea fishing, and watch sports on television. He was especially fond of spending time with family at Lake Eufaula, having a bourbon and coke by the fire pit, sharing stories, and frequenting the local karaoke hang outs with the kids. Other highlights include playing basketball under Coach Henry Iba in Stillwater in the 1945-1946 Oklahoma A&M Teams which won back-to back National Championships as well as participating in the Oklahoma Open PRO-AM event playing in a foursome with Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicholas coming in second. (1968)Edward was a wonderful man. He was kind, gentle and generous. He was known to march to his own beat in a fashionable way, which never included being in a hurry. He was one of a kind; and simply, his family was just plain crazy about him. He will be deeply missed as he is deeply loved.He is survived by his four children; ten grandchildren: Duncan, Cameron, and Lara Branum; Melissa Rainbolt, Melanie Yaffe and Mandi Myers; Andrew, Alex, Austin and Addison Loveless; 11 great grandchildren: Alexander, Sophia, another angel on the way, Lillie, Izzie, Haven, Harrison, Hudson, Hattie, Thomas, Bentley, Skye and 10 siblings: Doris, Madonna, Esther, Barnabas, Celestine, Carmen, Dolores, John, Margaret, and Thomas.A visitation will be 10am to 6pm on Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021; with the Holy Rosary and prayer service beginning at 4pm; all will be held at Smith and Kernke N. May Ave. Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00 am on Monday, Nov. 8, 2021 at Church of the Epiphany of Our Lord.