Michael Esquivel

Michael Salvador Esquivel 7-1-30 -- 1-29-24 Michael Esquivel was born in Longmont, Colorado to Miguel and Lillian Esquivel. In his early teens they moved to Utah and then to Sacramento to work in the fields. After high school he enlisted in the Air Force to support the Korean War effort. He was stateside working as an airplane electrician. After his service to the nation he married JoAnn Jasper. They both worked for Arthur Murray Dance Studio, first in Spokane and then in Everett. In the 1950s they moved to Grand Coulee to expand their family. In the Coulee area they continued to raise their six children. He worked at the dam, bartended, fought fires for the forest service, and often held two jobs to support his family. They worked together to make family life rich with farm animals to raise and gardens to tend and harvest. They divorced and he began college in Big Bend and later transferred to Central Washington University. In 1970 he was hired by the Washington State Superintendent of Public Instruction to facilitate the instruction of the many migrant children. At a migrant education workshop he met Janet Rhoads, they married in 1971 and raised five children in Zillah. He continued his focus on providing better educational services to children moving into Washington State whose families worked in asparagus, beet fields and orchards. He worked with local superintendents, principals and teachers to improve and provide appropriate educational opportunities. He continued in Migrant Education until he retired in 1992. However, during this time he volunteered to serve on several boards (EPIC, ALTC, Washington State Council of Hispanic Affairs, Toppenish Rodeo Board), and ran for state representative in 1980, but His greatest passion -- to provide medical services to the Yakima Valley-- began in 1976 when he and a group of other concerned people wrote a grant and formed the Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic. He was the first president of that Clinic board and united with other board members (inspired by Dr. Monahan and Dr. Gargas), began to change the trajectory of health services for Yakima Valley. In this effort the lives of hundreds of thousands in Yakima had access to better health care, which expanded over the years to 23 different clinics in Washington and Oregon. This effort provided thousands of jobs for families, getting them out of agricultural work, building a better future for their families. He volunteered, dedicating himself to this effort for 45 years. The Yakima Valley was changed because of his efforts and others who also volunteered their efforts for the clinic. He is preceded in death by his parents Miguel and Lillian (Velasquez) Esquivel, his son Michael Franklin Esquivel, Jose Mateo Esquivel, His sisters Delores (Esquivel) Abarca, and Juanice Esquivel, and his brothers Edward, Anthony, Richard, Rudolph, and Robin. He is survived by his brother Alfred ‘Cruz’, his step daughter Sandra Pyper (Sleem), his daughters Michelle Baughman (Esquivel), Linda Olvera (Esquivel), Christina Zaragoza (Esquivel), and Maria Cuevas (Esquivel); and his sons Richard Esquivel, Julian Esquivel, Juan Marcos Esquivel, and Carlos Esquivel. There are many grandchildren (22) and great grandchildren (25) and numerous nieces and nephews. He loved his family! He enjoyed his fighting roosters, hunting and fishing, old cowboy movies, the Seahawks and the Mariners. He relished good Mexican food. Most recently he loved watching his granddaughter D’ana play basketball for Zillah. He loved his Lord. He was ordained an elder in the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, later known as the Church of Christ Restored. He made two missionary trips to witness to saints in Mexico and Guatemala and travelled several times to the Navaho Nation to minister with saints there. He will be missed--for his love of people, his infectious smile, and surprising sense of humor. He loved and enjoyed all people, (he never met a stranger). Donations in appreciation of Mike’s life can be made to: Yakima Union Gospel Mission Northern Plains Reservations Aid N. First Ave 2401 Eglin St. Yakima, WE 98901 Rapid City, SD 57703 Mike’s favorite scriptures are: PHIL 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just; whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. II Chronicles 7:14 If my people which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. A Celebration of Life will be held on April 6th at 1:30 at the Zillah Civic Center. There will be a main course provided and we ask you to bring an appetizer, salad or dessert to share with friends and family. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Michael Esquivel, please visit our flower store.