Jose Escobar

It is with deep sadness that the family of Jose Escobar announces the passing of their beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend. Jose passed away unexpectedly at his home in Woodlake on Sunday, May 24, at the age of 85. Jose was a man of remarkable character, known as much for his strength and selflessness as for his easygoing nature. A natural storyteller with a charismatic wit, he possessed the rare gift of making everyone feel valued and special. He devoted himself wholeheartedly to his family, and leaves behind a legacy of love, humility, and honor. Jose will be deeply missed by his beloved wife, Esther, the woman who "stole his heart," as he often said. He leaves behind his devoted children: Jesse Escobar, Humberto Escobar, Jose Juan Escobar, Patricia Jimenez, and Laura Gomez. His grandchildren, who will dearly miss their beloved "Apa," are Diana, Jose Humberto, Christian, Jose David, Matthew, Jesse, Giuliana, Avery, Ryan, Liam, and Elijah. He is also survived by his sons-in-law, Edgar Gomez and Jose Jimenez; his daughter-in-law, Jill Escobar; and his sister, Maria Escobar. Jose was born on May 16, 1941, in Cuxpala, Zacatecas, Mexico, to Maria Huerta and Jesus Escobar. At a young age, he moved to Guadalajara, Jalisco, where he learned the skilled craft of shoemaking. It was there that he began preparing for the future he dreamed of-one centered on family. At the age of 24, he married the love of his life, Esther, and together they began building their family. Later, Jose and Esther made the difficult decision to move to the United States, where they worked tirelessly as farm laborers. Despite the demands of their work, Jose remained deeply committed to his family and always made time for his children. He created countless memories with his family, through trips to the movies, afternoons at the park, barbecues, fishing outings, and many other adventures. His greatest motivation was to provide his children with opportunities he himself had not enjoyed growing up. In time, Jose fulfilled another lifelong dream by purchasing a home with enough land to cultivate his own farm. He planted various fruit trees, chili peppers, and herbs, and raised chickens. Although he retired at a relatively young age, caring for his land became a full-time passion. From irrigating and pruning to keeping weeds and rodents at bay, he devoted countless hours to maintaining his property. Jose often referred to plants as gifts from God and that all they needed was love and care. He took great pride in every harvest and never missed an opportunity to share his produce with family and friends. Music was another of Jose's great passions. He loved to listen to Javier Solis and Pedro Infante. He affectionately referred to his favorite songs as "canciones viejitas." These songs filled him with nostalgia, transporting him back to his youth and bringing him immense joy and comfort. Father, although we were not ready to say goodbye, the memories of your warmth, humor, and enchanting personality remind us that you remain with us still. While we will always miss you, your spirit will live on in our hearts, in every plant we see, and in every familiar song we hear. We take comfort in knowing that you have been welcomed into the loving embrace of our Lord. May you rest in eternal peace and continue to watch over us as you always have. We love you, and we will carry your memory with us forever. Viewing will be held 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM Sunday, June 14th, 2026 at Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel, 127 E. Caldwell Ave., Visalia. Rosary will follow at 6:00 PM. Mass of Christian Burial services will be held 9:30 AM Monday, June 15th, 2026 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 608 N. Church Street, Visalia. Graveside services will be held 11:00 AM Monday, June 15th, 2026 at Woodlake Public Cemetery, 165 N Cypress St, Woodlake. Services have been entrusted to Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel. Memorial Tributes and condolences may be offered by logging onto www.salseranddillard.com.

Jose Escobar

May 16, 1941 - May 24, 2026