It is with deep sadness that we inform you of the passing of CPT Ramón Manuel Escapa of Rushville, IL. CPT Escapa passed away on June 19, 2022. He was 42 years old.
NOTICE OF PASSING – Captain Ramón Manuel Escapa
It is with deep sadness that we inform you of the passing of CPT Ramón Manuel Escapa of Rushville, IL. CPT Escapa passed away on June 19, 2022. He was 42 years old.
Ramón Manuel Escapa was born on December 24, 1979 to Angel Luis Escapa Matos and Maria Aponte in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico. CPT Escapa was a 1998 graduate of Rushville High School, and married Michelle Ann Thomas, his wife of almost 20 years, on February 6, 2003.
CPT Escapa served in the Illinois National Guard for 12 years, and his military assignments include Trial Counsel, Command Judge Advocate, and Defense Counsel. CPT Escapa’s awards and decorations include: Army Commendation Medal; Army Achievement Medal (3OLC); Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal; Armed Forces Reserve Medal w/ M Device; National Defense Service Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon; and the Army Service Ribbon. CPT Escapa also earned the Illinois National Guard Lincoln Medal of Freedom Ribbon, the Illinois National Guard Military Attendance Ribbon (1OLC), and the Illinois National Guard Active Duty Ribbon.
CPT Escapa was a Schuyler County Circuit Judge in the Eighth Judicial Circuit prior to his passing. He was a member of the St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Rushville, a member of Ride Illinois, Schuyler County 22 Club, Knights of Columbus, Rushville Masonic Lodge #9, Illinois Bar Association, and Illinois Latino’s Judges Association.
He is survived by his wife, Michelle; his four children, Isaac Manuel Escapa, Isaiah Ramon Escapa, Isabel Marie Escapa, and Ian Luis Escapa; his paternal grandmother Isabel Matos Escapa; his brother, Luis Escapa; his half-sisters Angely Escapa and Valery Pratt; his half-brothers, Christian Escapa and Jacob Clayton; his step-brother, Kyle Clayton; his special aunt, Luisabel Escapa; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Ride Illinois or The Ramón Escapa Scholarship Fund for a deserving member of the Community c/o Schuyler Co. Community Foundation at Rushville State Bank. A private family service will be held at a later date.
Please keep the Escapa family in your thoughts and prayers during this most difficult of time.
STUART W. RISCH
LTG, U.S. Army
The Judge Advocate General