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With a heavy heart we announce the passing of Captain Joel Escamilla age 83, a proud Texan and Navy Veteran who passed away in San Antonio, TX on Thursday, March 6, 2025. Joel Escamilla was born in Mission, Texas on July 1,1941. He was the son of a hard-working carpenter and mother who dedicated her professional life as a Nurse. At an early age with his mother Aurora's guidance, an affinity for science, and helping others was instilled upon him. His aspirations to better himself were the primary catalyst to enlist in the US Navy. He often dreamed of leaving South Texas to see the world. With the aid of the Navy, he was able to receive an education and obtain his PhD in Microbiology, eventually using his intellectual proficiencies to rise to become commissioned as an Officer in the US Navy. For close to 30 years, he experienced a meteoric ascension in his career, as a world expert on infectious diseases. Focusing on microbiology, he traveled the world assisting countless people with his expertise. Included in his incredible endeavors, he helped open 2 research laboratories in Manila, Philippines, and Lima, Peru. These laboratories pioneered groundbreaking work that was crucial in the assistance of countless citizens across the globe. His travels were extensive, bordering on legendary. His field work took him to Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Japan, Indonesia, Chile, Italy, and Argentina to name just a few. Once he circumnavigated the continent of South America aboard a naval vessel and crossed the equator, where he reached the proximity off the continent of Antarctica. His brightest moment of his illustrious career was his participation in Desert Shield/Desert Storm. He commanded a Navy Forward Lab and arrived with the US coalition on the front line and was able to witness the very day of Kuwait's liberation. Aside from his career, he was a fervent family man. He demanded that family members push themselves in search of truth and intelligence. One of his favorite quotes came from Socrates that stated, "The unexamined life is not worth living." For over 8 decades, he brought joy and inspiration to countless family members, friends, brothers and sisters of the Methodist church, and other social and civic organizations. Though disease ravaged his later years, he still managed to inspire all of us to better ourselves through years of encouragement. His life was a mosaic portrait of a man who cherished honor and truth. He is preceded in death by his beloved sister, Rebecca Vela; his brothers, Patricio Escamilla and Israel Escamilla. He is survived by his wife, Maria Sylvia Escamilla; his children, Belinda Mercado and husband, Steven, Joel Escamilla, Jr. and wife, Christine and Samuel Escamilla; grandchildren, Adriana and Steven Andreas Mercado, Joel “Tre” Escamilla, III and Andre Phillip Escamilla; his brothers, Noe Escamilla, José Escamilla; and numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will begin at 6:00 P.M. followed by the Service at 7:00 P.M. on Tuesday, March 18, 2025 at Mission Park Funeral Chapels North, 3401 Cherry Ridge Drive. The Graveside Service with Military Honors will begin at 10:45 A.M. on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, 1520 Harry Wurzbach Road.

Tributes

Captain Joel Escamilla, US Navy (Ret.)

July 1, 1941 - March 6, 2025