Vigil services for Mike Espino, 70, of Lompoc, will be 7 p.m. Friday, September 9, 2011 at the chapel of Starbuck-Lind Mortuary. A funeral mass will be celebrated 9 a.m. Saturday at La Purisima Catholic Church with Rev. Tom Cook officiating. Burial will follow at Lompoc Evergreen Cemetery.
Mike passed away at his home on September 6, 2011. He was born in Yuma, Arizona on August 16, 1941 to Abel and Mellicia Espino. He moved to Lompoc as an infant and considered it his hometown.
He graduated from Lompoc High School in 1960 and went on to earn his AA degree from El Camino College, his BA in Geography from Cal State Long Beach, and his MA in Education from Pepperdine University. He was an elementary school teacher for 29 years with the Santa Maria-Bonita School District. He spent 10 of those years as a bilingual educator.
Mike was a 3rd and 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus. He was active in the Boy Scouts of America as Cubmaster, Scoutmaster, member of the Order of the Arrow, and served as Akela to many scouts who were receiving their Arrow of Light. He was an active member of the Catholic Church for many years, dedicating much of his time to teaching Religious Education, serving on the Archdiocesan Board of Religious Education, participating in the Religious Education Congress, serving as an usher, Eucharistic Minister, Youth Minister, and was an active pro-life advocate.
He was a caring and giving person who was extremely passionate about his family, Notre Dame Football, and his Lompoc Braves.
Mike is survived by his wife of 48 years, Mary Espino, his 8 children and 10 grandchildren, Michael Espino, David Espino (spouse Peggy Espino, Nathan Espino, Emily Espino), Catherine Terrones (spouse Ernie Terrones, Nicole Terrones, Andrew Terrones), Paul Espino, Lynn Zook (spouse Kristian Zook, Ryder Zook), Elana Espino-Mitchell (spouse Mike Mitchell, Cera Mitchell, Kira Mitchell), Suzanne Espino-Brum (spouse Mike Brum, Vivia Brum), Jennifer Espino-Smith (spouse Mike Smith, Kaden Smith, Merrick Smith), and sister Marie "Bernie" Sandoval.
Mike was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Carmen Espino-Paris.
Visitation hours will be from 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday at the mortuary.
Pops, we love you. You'll be in our hearts forever.