Baltasar Pina Esquibel

Baltasar was referred to as “Junior” - the eldest of four children born to Baltasar “Freddie” and Manuella “Nellie” (Pina) Esquibel on November 6, 1937, in Dodge City, Kansas. He was raised in Dodge City’s Mexican Village where he attended the Coronado school as a young boy. He graduated from Dodge City Senior High School. He enjoyed playing saxophone in the band and alongside his father in the Freddie Esquibel Orchestra. He later attended St. Mary of the Plains College before joining the United States Navy in 1962.

Junior proudly served in the United States Navy on USS Oriskany from 1962 to 1966 during the Vietnam War. Through his

service he received the Good Conduct Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and Navy Unit Commendation Medal. He served

aboard the ship alongside Navy mate Weldon Kelley, and the two formed a lifelong friendship.

Upon his return from the Navy, he met his wife, Mary Jane Lopez, while she was selling tickets for the American GI forum

Queen event, a ticket he bought. The two united in marriage on October 9, 1967, at Our Lady of Guadalupe, Dodge City

He resided in Dodge City until his retirement and later relocated to Arlington, TX.

Junior spent much of his career in maintenance, working primarily at St. Mary of the Plains College up until its closure in

1992 and then the Dodge City Police Department until his retirement. He enjoyed the camaraderie that he shared with

his co-workers at the department.

In 2023 Junior was honored to return to Dodge City to conduct the ceremonial ribbon cutting for the opening of the

Mexican Village exhibit at the Boot Hill Museum.

He was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses on January 15, 2017, and his faith remained a cherished part of his life.

He joyfully shared in the ministry with others and served his congregation by taking special care of Bible literature and

helping maintain the Kingdom Hall grounds, often with his trusty leaf blower in hand.

He treasured the genuine love and kindness received from his spiritual family and the Bible truths he had learned,

especially the hope of Jehovah’s Kingdom and the promise at Revelation 21:4 of a time when pain, suffering, and death

will be no more. He looked forward with confidence to seeing Mary Jane again, alive and healthy, in the peaceful

paradise Jehovah has promised. This hope brought him great comfort and joy.

Junior’s greatest joy was his family and the time they shared together, especially cheering on their favorite teams. He

especially treasured the family’s annual Rangers vs. Royals games, where the whole gang gathered to enjoy the day

together. His love of sports also inspired a passion for collecting baseball cards, which grew to include football and WNBA

cards. Whether watching a game or attending one in person, Junior was always ready to share his love of sports with the

people he loved most. As an avid bowler he even bowled a perfect score of 300!

He is survived by his three siblings, brother, Larry (Cathy) Esquibel, Topeka, KS, sisters Patty (Eduardo) Renteria, Durango,

MX and Debbie Esquibel, Grand Prairie, TX, his three children, Rachel Martinez, Dodge City, KS, Charlie (Nikki) Esquibel,

Wichita, KS, Dr. Anthony (Veyra) Esquibel, Arlington, TX, five grandchildren, Amber (Mark) Shelton, Natalie Esquibel,

Mirissa (Chad) Kelley, Dr. Lauren (Jacob) Carpenter, Logan Esquibel, six great grandchildren, Angel and Jaiden Garcia,

Yaneli Morales, Kye and Hudson Kelley, Lyla Carpenter and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, beloved wife, Mary Jane, and 2 great grandsons, Jesse and Isaac Martinez.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s

Witnesses, 2892 Ragland Rd, Mansfield, TX 76063. Cremation has taken place. A family gathering will be held after the

service, at which time the location will be provided.