Anthony R. "Tony" Esquivel

Anthony R. "Tony" Esquivel, age 62, a resident of the Tekoa Retirement Apartments, passed away Thursday morning, May 1, at his home from an apparent heart attack.

He was born September 4, 1951, at Sacramento, Calif., to Mike P. and Helen Marie (Marinoff) Esquivel. He was raised in the Sacramento area and attended schools there. Tony later attended Evergreen State College in Washington.

Tony married Sharon L. Maracle on May 14, 1977, in New York State, and the couple were married for nearly 37 years. Sharon is a member of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte in Canada.

Tony worked for the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Indian Reservation for 21 years. He also worked as a bus driver, and was a caregiver at the Crisis Residential Center for eight years. He was a Native American Chaplain for 15 years and helped members with their spiritual wellness. He had worked as a volunteer at the Airway Heights Correctional Center and at the Two Rivers Correctional Institute in Hermiston, Oregon.

Tony enjoyed painting and artwork. He loved to draw and was a Pow Wow singer for many years. Tony painted the sign above the Tekoa Museum and Library, soon after moving to Tekoa.

Anthony and Sharon moved to Tekoa in 2005. He retired for health reasons.

Survivors include his wife Sharon at their Tekoa home; two sons, Sadekaronhes Esquivel of Okanogan, Wash., and Deyorhathe Esquivel of Tacoma, Wash., one daughter, Karhonkwison (Josh) Logan of Tekoa, Wash., two grandchildren: Dylan Johnson and Javier Logan. Also surviving are two brothers, Cruz Esquivel of Nespelem, and Mike Esquivel of Zillah, Wash.

He was preceded in death by an infant son.

A memorial service will be held in Nespelem, with inurnment at a family cemetery there.

Kramer Funeral Home of Tekoa, is handling the local arrangements.