Alene H. Esch, 87, of Alpine, beloved wife of the Rev. Walter W. Esch, went to be with the Lord on May 21, 2013. She passed from this life at Pecos County Memorial Hospital in Fort Stockton after a lengthy illness.
Alene Esch
She was born in Hempstead County, Arkansas on January 9, 1926 and graduated from high school in Hope, Arkansas in 1944. She attended college at Southwestern Assemblies of God University in Waxahachie, Texas from 1946-1947. It was during her college experience that she met a fellow student, Walter W. Esch, whom she later married on January 24, 1949. In 1951, she and Walter moved to Alpine where together they pioneered the First Assembly of God Church in Alpine in 1954. The church grew from having services in their residence to constructing a new church sanctuary where services have been held since 1960. They pastored the church until 1979.
Her professional career included being a Linotype operator for three different newspapers as well as a 27-year career as a Licensed Vocational Nurse. She didn’t officially retire until the age of 70.
Her personal accomplishments included being a loving wife for 64 years and a mother to four children.
She is survived by her husband, Walter W. Esch of Alpine; four children, Rosetta Love Douthitt and husband Tom; Thomas Esch; Gary Esch and wife Nicole; and Rhonda Martin; also five grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, George Porter and Willie Thomas Hair; two brothers, Val Gene Hair and George William Hair; and two sisters, Dorothy Mae Anderson and Jewel Dean Fortson.
Visitation was the afternoon and evening of Friday, May 24 in the Geeslin Chapel. Services were the morning of Saturday, May 25 at the First Assembly of God Church. Burial was in Elm Grove cemetery.
Alpine Memorial Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.