Alex Esparza, 84, of Grand Island went home to be with his Lord on Monday, Jan. 18, 2016.

A funeral service will be at 3 p.m. Friday at the Berean Bible Church, 4116 W Capital Ave., in Grand Island, with visitation an hour before the service. To honor Alex’s wishes, cremation will follow the funeral service.

Alex was born on Oct. 2, 1931, in Wellington, Kan., the son of Refugio Jose and Cesarea (Canales) Esparza.

He is survived by his wife, Margie of Grand Island; children, Daniel (Kris) Esparza of Dallas, Texas, Carlos Esparza of Denver, Colo., Alicia (Matthew) Esparza-Spriggs of Taos, N.M., and Rebecca (Dave Dutton) Esparza of Denver, Colo.; brother, Moses Esparza of Everett, Wash.; stepchildren, Mark (Pam) Morgan of Michigan and Kimberly (Rod) Foley of Grand Island; eight grandchildren, Harley, Alejandro, Skylar, Peter, Sarah, Gabrielle, Noah, and Ethan; and numerous other extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Nadyne, and siblings, Lucy, Carmen, Refugio “June,” and Angel.

Alex was raised in Wellington and graduated from Harper High School; Alex continued his education and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration at Wichita State. Following college, he worked for Boeing for 17 years and numerous years at Lockheed Martin. Alex was well-known for his work ethic. For many years he would work his full-time job and run his own machinist business out of his home.

After reconnecting at a High School Reunion, he was united in marriage to Margie Walker on Feb. 18, 1995. They made their home in Colorado until they moved to Grand Island in 2009 to be near family. Alex enjoyed playing golf and dancing with Margie. He was an avid reader, enjoying westerns, history, and he read his Bible several times. Most of all, Alex enjoyed time spent with family and was always there for them.