"Angelo, Sheila, Angelisa, Alyssa and Justin, So sorry to hear of your loss. Your entire family is in our thoughts and prayers as you navigate this life without your precious Jeshua. We have many fond memories of your family and pray that God comforts you in the days to come."
In loving memory of
Jeshua Aaron Espinoza
Jeshua Aaron Espinoza was deeply compassionate toward others in need, cynical toward pretense, and gracious to forgive others. His deepest life passions during his short 28 years with us were his family, writing poetry and rap lyrics, and creating his repertoire of rap songs under the moniker "Modern Man" in collaboration with artists Glad2Mecha and Goldfingah--many knew, "That boy can rap." He loved family dinners, especially at Houston's restaurant, starting with his favorite smoked salmon appetizer. Also noteworthy was his eight-plus years of studying and playing drums leading to his sense of rhythm, rhyming, and timing. Jeshua was also a practicing sales professional at Sprint Mobile, a skateboarder, a certified diver, a terrible driver, an OK snowboarder, loved jazz and Emo music too, a clothing and accessory aficionado, a collector of music and poster memorabilia, and a traveler--visiting France, Italy, Spain, The Bahamas, Mexico, Virgin Islands, Belize, Honduras, Costa Rica and Panama with his family. Jeshua was way more than all of this, and will always be remembered as "Jesh," "Jeshy," "Flip," "Flipsy," "Bubs," and "Juice."
Jeshua is a born-again Christ-follower. He leaves before his parents Sheila and Angelo Espinoza, who he lovingly called "Little Moms" and "Pops" of Phoenix (Desert Ridge), AZ, his sister Angelisa Murray and her husband Tommy Murray of Taos, NM, his sister Alissa Espinoza and her partner Eric Colomy of Jersey City, NJ, and his brother Justin Espinoza and his fiancée Hannah Worcester of Charlotte, NC. He also leaves his two living grandmothers, Lila Espinoza (93) of Monte Vista, Colorado, and Shirley Hudson (85) of Scottsdale, AZ. Jeshua joins his two grandfathers, Arthur "Tato" Espinoza of Espinoza, CO, David Jones of Columbus, OH, his aunt Janice Espinoza of Monte Vista, CO, cousin Roderick Cordova of Denver, CO, and his special great-grandparents Denver B. and Edna Jones of Columbus, OH, who each left this world before him.
Jeshua has six beautiful living aunts, Betty Freitas, Susan Canada, Cathy Espinoza, Shelley Hudson, Patricia Szall and Stephanie Chandler, and seven strong living uncles Ben Espinoza, Dennis Espinoza, Wayne Canada, Tim Martin, Eric Neymeyer, Michael Espinoza, Noah Espinoza, and Arthur Espinoza Jr. Finally, Jeshua has 32 loving and amazing first cousins (whoah!).
A celebration of his life will occur at Pure Heart Christian Fellowship is scheduled at 1 p.m. Friday, January 17, 2020, at 14240 N. 43rd Avenue, Phoenix. In lieu of flowers, you may provide donation support to the life-changing Christian-based organization of the Phoenix Rescue Mission, adding "In Loving Memory of Jeshua Espinoza" to your charitable contribution.
Jeshua chose to be an organ donor. Four recipients will receive the benefit of his thoughtful donation. The superb staff at HonorHealth Deer Valley Medical Center provided focused professional, gentle, and genuinely considerate care, advice, and explanations about Jeshua's condition--shout-out to his amazing nurse Amanda. The staff of HonorHealth and Donor Network of Arizona provided a remarkable "Honor Walk" from his hospital room to the operating room. The path was lined with countless reverent, trained, and hardworking medical professionals paying respect to Jeshua's gift of life to others. This family will forever remember this powerful experience.
An epidemic of opioid abuse mars our society. It has destroyed countless lives through the lawful and unlawful distribution of opioids. It has been reckless and destructive, enabled by unscrupulous people for personal profit and other harmful reasons. Jeshua's family joins together to implore you to rise alongside them against such acts that destroy lives, families, and communities by advocating for positive change.
Tributes
"Angelo, Sheila, and family, No words can express how sorry I am for your loss. Although I never had the chance to meet this fine young man, I did get a very full glimpse of his life in a couple of short hours. When I got home Friday, I spent some time on YouTube listening to his music. To say he was talented would be an understatement. Jeshua, Uncle Tim never got the chance to personally meet you but I am proud to call you my nephew. Please seek out your cousins Ashley Martin and Nicholas (Vader) Packard. You will most definitely enjoy them. Entertain all in your presence as you move forward and never let your music be silenced. Rest easy young man. You were greatly loved and will truly be missed."
"I miss you always will ..."
"You guys created a beautiful space for Jeshua to enter this world and Im so sorry for this deep loss. What a beautiful tribute and way you have shared him with us. I only knew him as a little boy and I loved how he expressed his gifts. His smile was full of light. How you are all loved! Please let me know if there is anything I can do in the coming days. My ear..my home..my prayers..my heart...my help..?"
"Dear Angelo, My sincere condolence and deepest sympathies for your great loss. May god give you and your family the courage and strength during these difficult times and to move forward. Based on what I've read here, I would have absolutely loved meeting and knowing Jeshua. My thoughts and payers are with you and your family. - Karthik"
"So sorry for your loss, this was such a beautifully written tribute to his life and memory , prayers for your family. Love Steven and Delores Finger"
"Angelo, Sheila & Family~ Words can not describe the sorrow I feel for you all...I am so very sorry for your loss & pain....Just heart breaking :( Thank the Lord we have the reassurance of knowing we can see your sweet precious soul again in heaven! Continued Prayers & hugs...... Love you, Penni, Brandi & Baylee Xoxoxo"
"Shelia and Angelo, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts are with you."
"Angelo, Sheila and family, We were so sorry to hear of Jeshua's passing. You are all in our heartfelt prayers. May the Lord hold him in His loving embrace, and may He comfort and keep you. The Mathews family"
"So sorry for your loss, Espinoza family. I had great memories of Jesh in the Pure Heart youth group. He was the only other kid I knew who like me New Found Glory. We?d talk about pop punk all the time. He was a super fun kid! His memories will live on forever."
"What a beautiful life ended tragically too soon. I send prayers and wishes for comfort to the entire family. I have prayed often for this young man through the years and rejoice that he is most surely in heaven. Love and hugs to all."
"PRECIOUS CHILD OF GOD. MAY YOU SENSE THE POWERFUL COMFORT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, WHO WAS SENT TO US FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS. MAY YOU HAVE PEACE, KNOWING THAT JESHUA IS AT PEACE. NO MORE STRUGGLES. MAY YOU HAVE GOOD REST, KNOWING JESHUA IS AT REST. MAY YOU KNOW THAT FATHER GOD LOVES YOU DEARLY, AND WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU OR FORSAKE YOU. YOUR SISTER IN CHRIST, JACQUELINE EDGLEY"
"My heart breaks for all of Jeshuas loved ones. My prayers are with you."
"Jesh was an amazing friend and true artist I'm going to miss him so much and pray for you guys every night"
"So Sad his life was cut short! I am praying for you all!"
"There are few words that offer any sort of consolation when a loved one so young and precious is lost. I pray for your family and send my deepest sympathies."
"Angelisa, Having had the honor of meeting all of your family at your wedding, including Jeshua, my heart is broken for you all. What a lovely person and he packed a lot into 28 years. I definitely join you in fighting this horrible opioid crisis caused by greedy people"
"Angelo, Sheila and Family, We are deeply sadden by your loss and will keep your family in our prayers during this time of mourning. Unfortunately we will not be able to attend the services but our hearts will be with all of you on Friday. Love you, Hector, Patricia & Family"
"Such a beautiful tribute to Jeshua and his life! He was loved by so many and he will be deeply missed. We continue to pray for your whole family during this difficult time and that God would comfort you all as only He can. We love you guys!"
"He will be missed. Prayers of strength and grace to your family."
"We are saddened by this tragedy that is heart wrenching of the deepest. No words more than we love you! This obituary is powerful & on point, Jeshua & the Espinoza family have impacted our family into the heavens! We love you, stand with you and are here for you. Thank you for sharing such beautiful insight & piece of Jeshua! All are treasured Nathan & Kellie & family"