June 29, 1926 - Jan. 14, 2013At home in Mora, with his loving family, Daniel Espinoza, 86, met our Lord on Jan. 14, 2013. Daniel was born on June 29, 1926 in Lucero, to the union of Abelino Espinoza and Sinforosa Mascarenas. Daniel served in the U.S. Army in 1945 and served overseas. During that time he was wounded and went on to receive several medals: Asiatic Pacific Service Medal, American Theater Medal, World War II Victory Medal, and the Purple Heart Medal. Following WW II and being honorably discharged he would suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) the remainder of his life. In 1946, Daniel met his "one and only," Bercy Garcia. Daniel and Bercy married on Oct. 15, 1949. Together they established their family home in Mora and raised six children. Daniel enjoyed his careers very much and was employed by the Mora Independent Schools as a school bus driver and he operated a service station in Mora for 30 years. Daniel was light on his feet and enjoyed every opportunity he could go dancing with his loving wife. Daniel was respected and loved by so many relatives, compadres, godchildren, friends, students, and community members. And in return Daniel loved everyone. In Mora, Daniel was a very active individual. He was a lifelong Catholic of Santa Gertrudis Parish in Mora. Daniel loved his Catholic faith. He served as a mayordormo numerous times and as a cursillista. Also, he was a member at the Mora Senior Citizen Center and the VFW Post #1131. Daniel is preceded in death by his loving parents, sisters, Aurora Espinoza, Elena Valdez (husband, Roman); brothers, Ben Espinoza, Elmer Valdez (wife, Molly); mother and father in-law, Alfonso and Perpetua Garcia; and his loving son, Kevin Espinoza. Daniel is also preceded in death by his in-laws, Gertrude Esquibel and husband Martin, Flora Romero and husband Nico, Maria Padilla and husband Antonio, and brother in-law, Louie Balland. Daniel is survived by his wife Bercy and their five children, Vera Olguin and husband Charles of Bernalillo, Danny and wife Emily of Las Vegas, Randy and wife Pauline of Cleveland, Gerard and wife Darlene of Albuquerque, and Timmy and wife Patricia of Las Cruces. In addition, he is survived by a special friend, Beatrice Hurtado. Also serving Daniel are his thirteen grandchildren, Luana Johnson (Nick), Mario Olguin (Ricki), Gerome Espinoza (Sharene), Daniel J. Espinoza (Amber), Randolph Espinoza (Elena), Geralyn Espinoza, Carlos Olguin, Philip Espinoza (Samantha), Nathan Espinoza, Geneva Roundy (Westin), Anjelica Espinoza (Leon), Jessalyn "Teresita" Espinoza, and Jacob Espinoza. Daniel has nine great-grandchildren, Carlos A. Olguin, Riley Espinoza, Kylo Espinoza, Sienna Espinoza, Jonah Espinoza-Reed, Nico Kevin Johnson, Jessa Espinoza, Xavier Lorenzo Lucero, and Lilianna Espinoza. Also surviving him are his in-laws, Ernest Garcia (Ann), Sophia Balland, and Domingo Garcia (Della). The Espinoza family extends a heartfelt thank you to Father James Sanchez and to all the health care staff at the Veteran's Hospital/Clinic (Albuquerque and Las Vegas), the Las Vegas Dialysis Unit, and the Mora Esperanza Home Health Care Agency. Daniel's family cared for him tirelessly and endlessly. The family especially wants to thank Vera, Randy, Pauline, and Jessalyn Espinoza for the unconditional love and support they offered Grandpa Dan. The rosary devotional service and the mass of resurrection will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Saturday at Santa Gertrude Church in Mora. With respect to Daniel's wishes, cremation will follow services. His cremains will be buried at the San Jose Cemetery in Ledoux at a later date. The rosary will be recited by Darlene Espinoza and Sister Mary Peter. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Santa Rita Mission Church in Lucero, in care of St. Gertrude's Parish in Mora. Those serving as pallbearers are Daniel's grandchildren: Mario Olguin, Gerome Espinoza, Daniel J. Espinoza, Randolph A. Espinoza, Carlos Olguin, and Philip Espinoza. All of Daniel's remaining grandchildren and great-grandchildren will serve as the honorary pallbearers. Visit Rogers Mortuary's website: www.rogersmortuarynm.com to sign the online register book. Arrangements are under the direction of Rogers Mortuary, Las Vegas, 1-800-479-3511 or 425-3511.