Gregory Gonzalo Escalera

Greg was born on March 27, 1974, in Santa Monica, California. He grew up with his adoptive parents Marie Doñes Escalera and Frank Escalera, and younger sister, Jessica Escalera. Greg also had family in Uvalde, Texas, and spent a lot of time going between the two. He adored his family and was an extraordinary son to Marie Doñes Escalera and Frank Escalera, his birth mother, Fela Escalera, and his many brothers and sisters. He was also supportive of his Texas cousins and those in Southern California; there were a lot of Escalera’s to appreciate!
 
Greg admired Marie’s dedication as an ESL teacher who was revered for 43 years throughout Culver City -- and Frank’s work as a landscaper with Malibu Unified School District. When Greg was a teenager, he learned the art of coffee roasting at Culver City Dark Water Café. Most mornings throughout the week, you could find Frank at the coffee shop, reverently watching his son working. They were so proud of each other. Greg dutifully attended to Marie’s needs, always. She came first in his life, and he would help with repairing things around his parents’ house, assist his mother with shopping, and truly enjoyed being in her company. She came before all else in his life.
 
Greg was also very good to his in-laws, Myer and Marsha Huniu who lived in Culver City. He was helpful to both when they called and made time for both of their aging and dying needs. One time Greg even took off work from his Camp Pendleton (San Diego) military duty (very hard to do!) to drive a McDonald’s hamburger up to Myer at Hollywood Kaiser Hospital just so he wouldn’t leave before his scheduled heart surgery! Such dedication!
 
Greg and Lori married on October 11, 1998, in a small treehouse in Bel Air, surrounded by Lori’s 10-year-old son. Greg was always a phenomenal stepdad to Michael. After homework, they would play video games endlessly while Michael’s mom (all thumbs!) gratefully did the dishes. Greg always tried to be a good role model to Michael and shared all the lessons his father Frank inspired. Greg attended all the back-to-school nights, Boy Scout meetings, camping trips, and graduations. Greg was well-liked by all of Michael’s friends, who all admired Michael’s cool stepdad because Greg was only 11 years older than Michael.
 
Greg’s dedication to the USMC Airwing HMLA 169 was commendable. He served two enlistments back-to-back over nine years (1998 – 2007); he served one Active-Duty Special Op in Afghanistan in 2010 and, in between, served in the Reserves. He was an Expert Class Marksman known for his strength and speed in training. Greg served six deployments in Okinawa (two of which were in Iraq during combat) and in Afghanistan. During his second deployment to Iraq, he was injured by an incoming mortar while riding a bike on base, resulting in a concussion and traumatic brain injury (TBI).  After Greg left his final deployment, he wanted to return  to active duty but was diagnosed with PTSD and other complications of his service. Greg received permanent disability in 2018. Greg required significant military support, which the VA was unable to provide sufficiently at times, prompting his loving wife to advocate for him whenever she could. Their needs often required them to live apart, but as Greg supported Lori with her parents and her own medical needs, Lori was always there to be his advocate. 

Greg’s Service honors include the Good Conduct Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War On Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, and Presidential Unit Citation – Navy.
 
A few years later, Greg followed Marie back to Texas, where she lived with her loving sister, Martina Doñes Sandoval, and they both took care of her. Sadly, Greg's mother passed away on February 23, 2024, and Greg followed her within the year, on February 4, 2025. It is believed  he went to assist her with any yard sales they might hold in Heaven, where a joyful reunion is surely taking place, along with Frank, who also awaits them for coffee (he passed away on February 28, 2014).
 
God bless Gregory G. Escalera; may he rest in peace, and may his memory be a blessing to all who knew him.

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