Washington - We mourn the passing of Gilbert L. Esparza. Gilbert who was an independent man, eager to live life on his terms. Gilbert died peacefully March 24, 2024, of congestive heart failure and interstitial lung disease, at the age of 94. His passing was commemorated shortly after with family by his side sharing stories, a poem, nods to his favorite things, and silence.

Gilbert (Sandoval) Lopez Esparza was born February 4, 1930 in Miami, Arizona to Francisco Esparza and Herminia Sandoval Lopez. Gilbert was the fourth of eleven siblings, four sisters and seven brothers, - six of whom were born in Arizona, and five in Torreon, Mexico. All but his youngest brother, Hermelindo Esparza, have preceded Gilbert in passing.

Gilbert grew-up in the foothills of la Colonia Morelos, Torreon, attending boarding school in Durango, until returning to the U.S., to join the U.S Armed Forces at 17 years old.

In February of 1947 Gilbert entered basic training at Fort Ord, CA, and onto paratroop training in Fort Banning, Georgia. A month later joined one of the first MASH units, at 28th Station Hospital in Osaka, Japan and Korea as a Private.

In 1950 Gilbert was evacuated to San Francisco, and hospitalized for the removal of his right kidney. During Gilbert's surgery recovery time, and while serving out the remainder of his re-enlistment in Japan, Gilbert completed his High School requirements, continuing his education through mail correspondence with the University of California, Berkeley earning enough college credits to enter UC Berkeley, upon his Honorable Discharge as a Sergeant in 1953.

UC Berkeley was where Gilbert met his future bride, Judith Ann Potter, while she was pursuing her own degree in Political Science. After a blind-date at a bowling party with some friends and several months of dating, juggling class schedules and part-time odd-jobs, Gilbert and Judith were married at the Carlton Hotel in Berkeley, on August 31, 1956.

In 1958, Boeing hired Gilbert as a Tool and Production lead planner. Gilbert and Judy, with their baby girl, Kathleen, moved up to West Seattle to an apartment on Avalon Way, where they lived until buying their first house, in 1961, a newly built Rambler in Bellevue. In 1965 a son, Matthew Edward Esparza was born, completing the family of four.

Between 1967 and 1971 Gilbert moved his family cross country in pursuit of new opportunities within the Boeing company; Bellevue to DC, then back to Mt. Baker, Seattle. During this time, Gilbert worked as an Associate Research Engineer for the SST and Apollo NASA Programs, both crowning achievements of his career. Being an avid aerospace enthusiast, Gilbert brought home posters, pictures, maps of the moon, and models of the SST, and Apollo's spacecraft to his son and daughter who shared in his excitement.

Gilbert's favorite saying, being a Carl Sagan fan, from Cosmos "billions upon billions"

Gilberts career with the Boeing Company came to an end in 1971, after a massive lay-off "Will the Last Person Leaving Seattle...Turn out the Lights"

It wasn't long before Gilbert began a new career in the Department of Labor, OSHA, conducting safety inspections throughout Washington state, and Alaska, as a Compliance Officer from 1971-1975. Gilbert's promotion in 1975, to Area Director for Washington D.C. and Northern Virginia took the family back to the East coast, making their home in Bethesda, MD.

In 1982 Gilbert became the Acting Director, Supervisor for Baltimore, MD. In 1984 Gilbert transferred to a Non-Management position as a Safety and Occupational Health Specialist in D.C., reviewing designs and writing safety standards addressing hazards within the construction industry. Retiring in 1989.

In-between raising a family, in the early years of his career, both Gilbert and Judy were devoted activists within several organizations through the 70's.

Operation Outreach for Migrant Farm Laborers - organizing and counseling migrant laborers in Snohomish County. ICORE - Congress of Racial Equality Seattle chapter, aiding the Secretaries office, organized inter-racial group dialogues and negotiations during active boycotts and protests.

LULAC - League of United Latin Americans Coalition - Board of Directors - Seattle chapter.

Helping Mexican-Americans gain civil liberties. Working to create programs and organizations to help join LULAC, in the fight against inequality.

In 2000, with Judy's health needs and care changing, and Gilbert having had his second 4way cabg (bypass) surgery, they moved back to the PNW, and for the next 14 years, Gilbert was a devoted and loyal husband and caretaker for his beautiful "bride" Judy until her passing in 2014.

When Gilbert and Judy moved to Auburn both became parishioners at The Good Shepherd Church in Federal Way, a welcoming place where Gilbert's passion to sing in a choir and participate in church activities became a strong network of friends and support.

Outdoors, Gilbert was an avid gardener with Judy close by as the "designer" making sure there would be "something blooming, in color throughout the year". Wonderful lunches and gatherings were enjoyed outside on the patio by family and friends, whether in their Bethesda or Auburn home. Gilbert generously sharing a propagation of a plant, or a "bulb or two", with a guest to take home with them.

After Judy's passing, Gilbert sold the Auburn house and moved into the Federal Way, Brookdale Senior Housing as an "independent" resident, living in an apartment for eight years. It was at Brookdale that Gilbert learned, and became a Bingo enthusiast, rarely missing a session. Knowing the importance for Gilbert to keep walking, he would end his third walk around the building to sit and watch a movie in the lobby, sometimes asking the front desk "one more movie", before heading back up to his room for the night.

April of 2023, Gilbert's health steadily declining and in need of 24/7 care, he moved into the Honeydew Adult Care home, where Gilbert received the most compassionate and enduring attention. We are most grateful to Georgiana and Stephanie Bocancia, to this day.

Dad, yes, we are but one tiny speck in this vast universe, but we will never forget you.

Gilbert is survived by his daughter Kathleen (Kate) Laura Esparza-Guerrero, his son, Matthew Edward Esparza; six grandchildren, Timothy Rey Guerrero, Amanda Yvonne Guerrero, Alexandra Olivia Guerrero, Amber Damali Esparza, Dylan Edward Esparza, Justin Everett Esparza; 2 great-grandchildren; brother Hermelindo Esparza and 13 Nieces and 8 Nephews.

There will be a church service for Gilbert on May 10th at the Good Shepherd Church in Federal Way, at 11:00, followed by a "final committal" service at the Tahoma National Cemetery shelter at 1:30.

Sign Gilbert's online Guest Book at obituaries.seattletimes.com