Brian D. Escobedo

Brian D Escobedo, August 13, 1955 – June 13, 2022, was born in Yuma, AZ to Albert Escobedo and Norma Jean Norris (Shellhorn) of Catron County.  A proud 1976 graduate of the University of Notre Dame, he was commissioned a 2Lt in 1976 and had a distinguished career as a Counter-Terrorism officer in the USAF and retired from the USAF Reserves with 27 years of service.  Activated after 9/11, he was part of a team at HQ European Command that led to the capture of the infamous shoe-bomber in the UK. During his USAF Reservist career, he was a talented NM attorney-at-law, supporting female immigrant victims of domestic violence and later became involved in working anti-human trafficking legislation for the state of New Mexico. 

He liked to say, “I’m New Mexican by choice.” when the USAF took him to Albuquerque, NM in 1993. He served as a Deacon for 10 years at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Byzantine Catholic Church.  On June 9, 2013, his lifelong dream was realized when he was ordained to the Priesthood in the Byzantine Catholic Church under the leadership of +Bishop Gerald Dino. During his 9 years as a priest was assigned to his home parish in Albuquerque for a year, to Holy Angels in San Diego, CA, and to Holy Protection in Denver, CO.

He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Pani Janet Escobedo, Lt Col, USAF Retired, his three children, Sara and her husband John Byrom, Rachel and her husband Nick Renecle and their son Maverick, and Douglas and his wife Brittany and their children Connor, Elizabeth, and Thomas. He also leaves behind his beloved sister, Heather her husband Andrew and their children Isabella, Gabriel, Annalisa and his sister-in-law Pamela James and children Jacqueline and Robert.

Services as follows:

13 July at 6PM      Parastas at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Albuquerque, NM
14 July at 10AM    Divine Liturgy at Our Lady of Perpetual Help
14 July at 1:30PM Burial at Santa Fe National Cemetery with full Military Honors
14 July at 2:30PM Luncheon at local Santa Fe Restaurant

RSVP with Teresa Blanc at (602) 861-9778 or tribunalsec@ephx.org, if you are riding the bus transportation and/or attending the luncheon.
BUS TRANSPORTATION WILL BE PROVIDED BETWEEN ALBUQUERQUE and SANTA FE.