Esau Word

Mr. Esau Word of Tampa, Florida passed away Sunday, October 4, 2020, at his residence. Honoring the request of Esau, a memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 17 at 11:00 a.m. at Ray Williams Memorial Chapel, 301 N. Howard Avenue, Tampa, FL.  Please follow the CDC guidelines.  Masks are required.  Due to COVID-19 and our concern for the health and welfare of our extended families, there will be no repast after the memorial service. For those families who will not be traveling to Tampa for the Memorial service, we will be providing a live streaming service. Fifteen minutes prior to service time, Please visit  https://www.raywilliamsfuneralhome.com/obituary/Esau-Word for the opportunity to view service via Live Streaming. 

In Lieu of sending flowers, the family has requested that if you feel inclined to give, please consider donating to one of my father’s charities that he invested his passion into.  Links to the donation pages are listed in the Donations section below:

DAV (Disabled American Veterans) 

Urban Youth Justice

Esau Word aka “Pops” to his children entered into peace on October 4, 2020 at home 15607 Cashmere Ln, Tampa, FL 33624 with his wife Linda and son Ricky by his side. Esau was born on March 11, 1950 and identical twin brother Jacob who is deceased and late parents Jack and Oraceola Word.

Esau graduated from Killian High School in 1968 and attended Miami Dade College before joining the military, March 24, 1971 and retired March 31, 1997. Throughout his military career he was in Security Police and retired as Senior Master Sergeant. During his military career he earned many medals, one which was AF Achievement Medal, AF Commendation, and Meritorious Service.

Esau finished his college education with a Bachelor degree after retirement and after retirement from the military he started to work for the State of Florida Department of Juvenile Justice. Esau always loved talking to young people especially the male youth, giving good advice about life and what they could accomplish. Many of the youth that he had come in contact with while in Spain, still come to visit our home here in Tampa and thank him many times for helping them go in a good or right direction.

Esau brought joy to many around him with his smile and positive attitude. He always saw the good in people and loved helping those that asked him in any capacity he could. Esau was a loving husband and a devoted father and grandfather. He loved family and especially Family gatherings. He looked forward because he always wanted to show what a grilling king he was manning the cookouts.

He is survived by his wife Linda Word, six children: Esau Jr (Marie), Diwaine (Kari), Jeffrey (Michelle), Ricky, Andre, Katrina, Shauntae (great niece) and Siyani (great, great niece) whom he was happy to become guardian of, two brothers Moses (Sarah), Aaron, six grandchildren, Kassaundra, Kristofer, Alyssa, Rileigh, Julian, Hendrix, several nieces, nephews, as well as many other family members and friends.