Mario Enrique Escamilla

Mario Enrique Escamilla born November 22, 1951, took his first steps on the stairway to Heaven on January 15,2026.

Mario was born in Sanderson, Texas to Mario B and Amalia Escamilla. 

Viewing will begin on Monday, January 19, 2026, from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM at Harkey Funeral Home; family will be present from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM for anyone wanting to greet the family. A Rosary will be recited at 7:00 PM on Monday, January 19, 2026, at St. John the Apostle and Evangelist Catholic Church. Mass will be held on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at 1:00 PM at St. John the Apostle and Evangelist Catholic Church with burial to follow at Monahans Memorial Cemetery.  

Pallbearers are as follows:  Bobby Vallie, Tom Swindle, Jimmy Rasberry, Sam Smith, Dean Chadic, and Grayson Arreguy. 

Honorary Pallbearers are as follows:  Gary Willmon, Gilbert McFeeders, Kendrick Escamilla, and Joe Stapp. 

Mario is preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Alejandro and Sara Escamilla; his maternal grandparents, Jesus and San Juana Escamilla; his parents, Mario B. and Amalia Escamilla; his parents-in-love, Jim and Arlene Swindle; his brothers, Alex, Caboose, and Tommy Escamilla; his granddaughter, Kristina Fonseca; and his niece, Samantha Escamilla. 

His is survived by his wife of 53 years, Debbie Escamilla; daughter, Lanie Escamilla and wife, Candice; daughter, Carrie Fonseca and husband, Raul; precious granddaughter, Lexi Fonseca; sister and brother-in-love, Pam Rasberry and Bobby Vallie; sisters-in-love, Penny Escamilla and Lourdes Escamilla and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews. 

Mario came to Monahans in 1953 and graduated from Monahans High School in 1970. He graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Kinesiology from Sul Ross State University in 1975. Mario's Passion was teaching and coaching youth. He taught and coached football and girl's track in Alpine, Fabens, and Fort Hancock. He was the Recreation Director at the Children's Home in Pyote, Texas. He left in 1982 to start his 28-year career for Mobil Oil & Gas as a Plant Operator in Coyanosa 

Mario was the President of the Monahans Bowling Association. President of the Monahans Umpire Association, member of the Monahans Optimist Club, member of the Kermit Bass Club and the First Hispanic to serve as member of the M-W-P ISD School Board. One of his proudest accomplishments was winning all events at USBA National Tournament in 1997.

Mario met Debbie when she was just fifteen years old in Monahans and began a lifelong love affair. Their love was something thing their children could look up to and aspire to have for their own lives. It wasn't a fairytale, but it was a real relationship. He took his vows seriously and they loved through sickness and health, through good times and not so good times, till death do them part. Mario was a proud dad and even prouder "Gramps." He loved all his girls fiercely and was a proud father of his son-in-love, whom he also loved with all his heart. Family was everything. Get your education. Look people in the eye. Stand up for yourself. 

Mario never met a stranger, and he always greeted everyone with a smile, a kind hello, and a firm handshake. He loved his friends like family and always loved his daily calls and texts. Anyone who was around for very long knew that his phone ringer was the Texas A&M Aggies Fight Song. He was the biggest Aggies fan and proudly gave a "GIG "EM" or a WHOOP! He bled Maroon.