Valentin Escamilla Sr.

Valentin "Vale" Escamilla Sr., 87, of Beeville, died Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2013. Mr. Escamilla was born May 21, 1926, in Karnes County to Fidel and Maria (Cavazos) Escamilla. He married Maria Saenz in Choate on Jan. 24, 1946, and was a retired farmer. He was a member of Monte del Olivar Christian Church and was a mechanic in and owner/operator of Valentin Garage in Kenedy. He was preceded in death by parents; his wife, Maria Saenz Escamilla on Aug. 19, 1992; a son, David Escamilla; three daughters, Olivia Escamilla, Elia Escamilla and Maria Escamilla; and a sister, Braulia "Lala" Garcia. Survivors include four sons, Miguel (Angelita) Escamilla and Cosme (Carmen) Escamilla, both of Weslaco, Valentin (Christina) Escamilla Jr. of Tuleta and Samuel (Rocio) Escamilla of Dallas; a daughter-in-law, Antonia Escamilla of El Paso; six daughters, Lydia (George) De Los Santos of Kenedy, Francis (Toribio) Rodriguez and Ruth Chano, both of Beeville, Esther (Robert) Charles of Runge, Febe Escamilla of Karnes City and Eva (Pedro) Sanchez of Lancaster; a bother, Fidel (Elva) Escamilla Jr. of Fort Worth; sisters, Maria Saenz of Weslaco, Adelfina Pena of Harlingen and Magdalena (Noe) Sanchez of Waxahachie; 38 grandchildren; and 34 great-grandchildren. Visitation will be held Friday, Oct. 4, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Monte Del Olivar Christian Church with a prayer service at 7 o'clock. The funeral service will be conducted Saturday, Oct. 5, at the church at 10 a.m. with Rev. Miguel Escamilla officiating. Burial will be at 12:30 p.m. at Loma Alta Cemetery in Kenedy. Pallbearers will be Caleb Escamilla, Samuel Escamilla Jr., Ezequiel Escamilla, Michael Escamilla, Bobby Charles and Jeremiah Gatica. Honorary pallbearer will be Anthony De Los Santos. Angelus Funeral Home