Gregorio (George) Escobar

Gregorio "George" Escobar, 81, of Topeka, died September 2, 2011 at St. Francis Health Center due to complications of mesothelioma (lung cancer). He was born on March 12, 1930 in Topeka, Kansas, the son of Ysaias Demetrio and Maria Magdalena (Barron) Escobar. He attended Grant Elementary School, Curtis Junior High School and graduated from Topeka High School in 1949. Gregorio served in the US Army 82nd Airborne in Korea. He was a member of the American Legion. Gregorio worked for Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad for forty-two years, retiring as a foreman. Gregorio loved working on and painting cars. He was a handy man and a craftsman. He was a golden glove boxer, avid athlete, played fast pitch softball. He loved to dance, garden, travel, draw and paint. Most of all, he had a strong faith in God. He was a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. Gregorio married Irene Ramos on June 3, 1950 in Topeka, Kansas. She survives. He is also survived by seven sons, Gregorio L. (Beverly), Topeka, David C. (Sharon), Lake Lotawana, MO, Gabriel T. (Juanita), Bentonville, AR, Paul A. (Annette), Topeka, Victor R. (Marcina), Norfolk, VA, George A. (Becky), Cardiff by the Sea, CA, James M. (Sarah), Rossville, three brothers, Vicente, Juan, and Pedro Escobar, all of Topeka, four sisters, Lucia Martinez, Luisa Ramirez, Eusebia Barranco, and Juanita Toledo, all of Topeka, and thirty-seven grand children with three more on the way, thirty-two great grand grandchildren, one great-great grandson, and one great-great granddaughter on the way. A brother, Daniel Escobar and a sister, Pauline Sauseda preceded him in death. He will lie in state at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church on Monday after 4:00 p.m. where a Parish Prayer Service will be at 6:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, at 10:00 a.m. at the church. Interment will follow in Mount Calvary Cemetery with military honors provided by Philip Billard Post #1650 of the VFW. Memorial contributions may be made to Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church or Cardio-Vascular Center at the KU Med Center and sent in care of Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Ave., Topeka, Kansas 66603. Online condolences may be left at www.brennanmathenafh.com.