Retiring teacher, coach urges Colony grads to ‘find their 68’
By Jeremiah Bartz Frontiersman.com A football coach using a hockey reference as the centerpiece for his keynote address may
Joseph “Joey” Onell Escobar, age 32, passed away July 9, 2017, in Eagle River, Alaska. Joey was a lifelong Alaska resident. He was born in Anchorage on Dec. 28, 1984. Throughout his life he lived in Anchorage, Palmer, Ketchikan and Eagle River. He attended Colony High School in Palmer. Joey was known to all as an extremely kind and compassionate person with an unmatched sense of humor. He made friends instantly with any and everyone he met. Joey’s smile would light up a room instantly and he is remembered as being one who always loved and encouraged others. His friends and family remember his incredible gifts in music, art and writing, especially poetry. A few of his big interests were movies and music- especially Britney Spears and everything about the Golden Girls. Joey was employed at Fred Meyer Eagle River in the electronics department where he had many friends. In 2006 Joey was diagnosed with end stage renal failure related to a childhood illness. His family is appreciative to the staff of Fresenius Kidney Care where Joey had been a Dialysis patient for the last 11 years. Joey is survived by his parents Tony Escobar (Diana), Margie Pillsbury (Kevin), siblings, Nicholas Escobar (Abigail), Priscilla Dark (Chris), Jovan Escobar (Katherine), Charlee Escobar, and Tristan Escobar, paternal Grandparents Nicholas and Miriam Martinez, Uncles Nicholas Martinez, David Lambert, Don Lambert, Aunts Marisol Colon (Jesus), Elizabeth Dennis (Kevin), niece Hadassah Escobar and nephew Holland Dark along with many other cousins and family members. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Donald and Beverly Lambert and his uncle, John Lambert. Joey had many very close friends, many of whom were like family who mourn his passing. A celebration of life will take place on Tuesday, July 18, 2017, at Palmer Senior Center at 5:00 p.m. located at 1132 S. Chugach Street, Palmer, Alaska, 99645. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Joey’s memory to Alaska Kidney Foundation, Alaska Alzheimer’s Association or another charity.