Kenneth Glenn Esslinger

Kenneth Glenn Esslinger, 94, passed away Thursday, June 18, 2026 in Waco, Texas.

Graveside services will be held 11:00 am Sat. June 27, 2026 at South Park Cemetery in Roswell, N.M. Pastor Pete Crook from Bethel Baptist Church will be officiating.

He was born on March 21, 1932 in Roswell, New Mexico to Claudie Esslinger and Opal Crenshaw Esslinger. He graduated from Roswell High School in 1950.

After graduating, he would work as a ranch hand for local ranches. On October 9, 1952 Kenneth joined the US Army and served in the Korean War. During that time he would serve as an Intelligence Officer and Military Police Officer as well as being on the front line. While he was there, he had an incident with some monkeys during a mission and in later years loved telling his stories and collecting stuffed monkeys.

On April 17, 1956, he married Mary “Polly” Margarie Hammock in Roswell, New Mexico. That unity would last for 70 years.

His love and passion was being a cowboy. From an early age, he worked on ranches and as an adult, he managed many big ranches in New Mexico. He loved animals and the land. He enjoyed his horses and cows and being with family on special occasions at the ranches. He loved to talk, and read to gain knowledge. He was informed and could talk about any subject.

Kenneth was a God loving man raised in a Apostolic Faith Church. Most of his adult life he was a devote Baptist and served many years as a Deacon which he took very serious. He loved the Lord and was our rock in many ways.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Claudie & Opal Esslinger; brother, Cecil Esslinger; daughter-in-law, Sammie Esslinger, and grandson, Mark Holland.

Survivors include his wife, Mary “Polly” Esslinger; daughter, Glenda Holland & husband Lynn; sons, Keith Esslinger and Glenn Esslinger & wife Sheila; grandchildren, Michelle LeVasseur & husband Dan, Mary Collins & husband Brian, Hollie Gallegos & husband Paul, Kennon Esslinger, Kenneth Taylor Esslinger; great grandchildren, Gavin Gallegos, Alexzander Collins, Wesley Gallegos, Audrey Valez, Sarah Collins, Emma Gallegos, and Dexter LeVasseur.

Our family would like to express our sincere thank you and appreciation to Providence Hospice and The Chateau of Waco for their care and compassion of Kenneth during his last few weeks.

He will greatly be missed but leaves behind lots of memories of jokes, stories, and being a loving person who never met a stranger. He could feed you a line of bull and hook you line and sinker if you didn’t know better. Those memories will always be in our heart. “Those we love don’t go away; they walk beside us every day. Unseen, unheard, but always near”.