Raul Espinosa
Raul (Coach) Espinosa, 84, was residing at Rockport Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Rockport, Texas at the time of his death. Before moving to Rockport, he lived in Winnie, Texas for 49 years. Raul died Saturday, June 15, 2024. He was born on November 12, 1939, in Brownsville, Texas, to Ramon and Antonia Espinosa.
He graduated from Pan American College with a Bachelor of Arts. During his career, he taught math, coached various sports with football being is favorite, athletic trainer, and retired as the Director of Transportation and Maintenance from East Chambers ISD. He started his career at Cummings Junior High in Brownsville where he met the love of his life Essie (Ms. Essie). They were married for 50 years and had one daughter, Laura Dana Mann.
Raul held several community positions in Winnie and Chambers County. He was the Emergency Director of the East side of Chambers County for many years and severed on the Winnie Hospital Board.
His favorite pass time was to meet The Henry’s, The Tully’s, Morris Prejean, and anyone else who would meet for coffee at Al-T’s or the Waffle House. He never met a stranger and always had something to say about the going on’s in Winnie. He was an active member of the St. Louis Catholic Church.
Coach and Ms. Essie, would spend time traveling to Branson, Missouri several times a year, travel to their grandkids football, baseball, softball, and basketball games. You could count on one hand the number of games they missed. They always made an effort to attend any actives the grandkids were involved in.
Survivors include his daughter, Laura Dana Mann and husband, Ricky, of Rockport; grandchildren, Derek Hoffpauir and wife, Zoe, of San Antonio, Dara Hoffpauir, of Corpus Christi, and Darla Hoffpauir, of Normanna; bonus grandkids, Chris Mann and wife, Lesley, of Fort Worth, Tyler Duran and partner, Denise, of Farris, and Kaycee Mann, of Pampa; great-grandkids include Atlas Hoffpauir, Benjamin Duran, Camryn and McKenna Mann; two sisters, Maria Estock and Anna Hessenius; and one brother, Rey Espinosa.
Raul is preceded in death by his wife, Essie Espinosa; parents, Ramon and Antonia Espinosa; and brother, Ramon Espinosa.
A Rosary will be recited at 5:00 p.m., with a gathering of Mr. Espinosa’s family and friends to follow from 5:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Monday, June 24, 2024, at Broussard’s, 134 West Buccaneer Drive, Winnie. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, June 25, 2024, at St. Louis Catholic Church, 315 Buccaneer Drive, Winnie, with his interment to follow at Fairview Cemetery, Winnie.

Video
Rosary
Broussard’s Mortuary Winnie
- 134, Buccaneer Drive, Winnie, Texas, 77665,
- June 24, 2024
- 5:00 pm
Gathering of Family and Friends
Broussard’s Mortuary Winnie
- 134, Buccaneer Drive, Winnie, Texas, 77665,
- June 24, 2024
- 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Mass of Christian Burial
St. Louis Catholic Church
- 315, W Buccaneer Dr, Winnie, TX, 77665,
- June 25, 2024
- 10:00 am
Interment
Fairview Cemetery-Winnie
- 213, Fairview Cemetary Drive, Winnie, Texas, 77665,
- June 25, 2024
Sorry to hear of your loss. I enjoyed working with Coach at ECC . He was a great teacher and coach and trainer.
Coach Espinosa was such a good man. We have so many fond memories of him. May God comfort you all.
Coach was such a fine man who cared for all of his students. He will be missed by so many.
I’m sad to hear of Mr. Espinosa’s passing. Mr. Espinosa was my boss one summer in 1985 at ECC. Jimbo Faulk, his dad and I worked with Mr. Espinosa that summer. I also remember him driving buses when there wasn’t someone to drive us home after school. I didn’t have the privilege of having him as a coach or a teacher, but I’m sure he was great.
You will be missed Coach. Thanks for all the years of service to all us Buccaneers . You are one amazing man. Rest in peace dear friend. I will miss your visits to Dairy Queen.
Sincere condolences to the family
We are so very sorry to hear of Raul’s passing. Our hearts go out to Dana and her family. Our prayers are with you.
Sincere condolences to the family. I am so very sorry for your loss. May God provide the necessary peace and comfort to your family and friends during this difficult time. Please remember these words of encouragement from the Bible: “Jesus plainly told her: I am the resurrection and the life. He that exercises faith in me, even though he dies, will come to life.” —John 11:20-25.
He will be missed by so many people he worked with at EAST CHAMBERS ISD
You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
I’m so sorry to hear of Mr. Espinoza passing. He was my math teacher at East Chambers High School. He was an awesome teacher and a great guy. Lifting the family up in prayer