David Espinoza

David Espinoza, 75, of Phoenix, Arizona, passed away on June 7, 2023, in his childhood home of 70 years. An Arizona Native and member of one of its pioneering families, David was known for his kind and generous soul, always willing to help out and mentor the underdog. He had a special love for animals, particularly his newly adopted dog, Kayo, who was with him to the very end.
David was the founder and owner of the retail business 'Boot Maker David Espinoza' on 16th St. and Indian School Rd for the past 21 years with several locations throughout the Valley for 5 decades. David was a great storyteller. His customers would enjoy stopping by to listen to his stories about his past adventures.
His employees described him as the best boss one could ever work with.
David was a generous friend, colleague and neighbor, cherished by his childhood and high school friends.
David is survived by his sister Joanne Espinoza Law (Don), sister Toni Cronmiller (Warren), niece Emily Law (Antonio Caceres), and nephew Kip Cronmiller. He was preceded in death by his parents, Andres and Emelina Espinoza, his oldest brother Andy Espinoza, his brother Joe Espinoza, and his niece Clove Cronmiller.
David's educational journey began at Creighton School, grades 1-8, and was a member of the first graduating class of East High School. He later attended Phoenix College and ASU for higher education in design and engineering.
David's career started at a young age when he began shining shoes for his family to be worn for Sunday church services. He developed a passion for boot making during high school and went on to become an award-winning boot maker and owner of the retail business 'BootMaker David Espinoza'. His exceptional skills and dedication were recognized when he was chosen to present at the Google Small Business conference. David was also known for his customized boots featuring the Arizona flag and its glorious desert colors. He was voted "Best of Phoenix" Independent Bootmaker multiple times and even featured on the cover of Phoenix magazine in December 2018. His craftsmanship brought joy to hundreds of customers from all over Arizona, the United States, and the world, including celebrities such as Glen Campbell and Kareem Abdul Jabar. His devotion to his craft extended beyond his profession, as bootmaking became his hobby and lifelong love. He was a true artisan at heart.
A Celebration of David's Life will be held at the Continental Villa clubhouse located at 1745 W. Stella Lane in Phoenix on October 29, 2023, from 1-5 p.m. Friends and loved ones are invited to attend and bid farewell to this remarkable individual. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the 'Crafting Futures: Espinoza Bootmaker Scholarship' fund on GoFundMe (Link: https://gofund.me/31470c90). The scholarship money will be gifted to a future bootmaking craftsman/woman.
Adios, amigo y hermano David Espinoza. Your legacy will ride forever in the wild Arizona desert sky. May your spirit continue to shine as bright as the Phoenix sun.