John Reginald Ybarra

Early Thursday morning of August 31st, 2017, John Reginald Ybarra, lovingly known as Papa, Juan & Uncle Johnny to his love ones, passed away peacefully within his Willow Glen home surrounded by his beloved family. Family meant everything to Papa. He proudly viewed his continuously growing family as his

greatest achievement and as his most precious possession. Within the week leading up to his passing, he was celebrated by his wife, Theresa, all of his children: Elaine, Vickie, Reggie and Valerie, their spouses & children and even their children’s children including a great grand-baby on the way.

John R. Ybarra is survived by his wife, Theresa Ybarra, his 4 children and their spouses: Elaine & Gary Sandoval, Vickie & Bill Babcock, Reggie Ybarra, Valerie & Rob Stewart, and his 7 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren and close extended family members: Rene Cosbie and her two daughters Renessa Caampued and Nikolette Downs, Cassandra & Travis Babcock, Robbie, Ryan & Riley Stewart, Taylor Ybarra, Kristi Anderson-Ybarra & Jared Stelma.

His legacy gathered around reminiscing on the rich, colorful memories of the past 89 years. Stories about his hometown, San Luis Obispo, were he was born on March 11th, 1928. The story of how he met the love of his life, Theresa (Chacon) Ybarra. How he instantly fell in love at the first sight of her dancing at a local dance hall. Ever since then, they have been dancing through life as husband and wife and falling deeper in love for 67 years.

Juan’s family told stories of his hard work and dedication as a proud employee of Ford Motor Company for 25 years. How he proudly drove his infamous Ford truck everywhere and enjoyed working on it as a hobby in front of their Monterey Street home in Santa Clara hoping his neighbors would stop by to share in his admiration.

His family reminisced about his love for animals, which he considered his best friends. He lovingly tended to numerous family pets over the years, especially the “Jakes”. He also had a great love of travel and adventure to far away places including a trip to Spain with his wife and their youngest, Valerie, for her 25th birthday and the cruise to Mexico where the whole family jumped on board to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Theresa and Juan’s wedding. While listening to Papa’s favorite Mariachi music, family awed over stories of how brilliantly he played the guitar. He would masterfully perform for the public with his beloved Mariachi Trio, strumming at late night fiestas while his lively friends & family danced the night away. He would sit on his favorite swinging bench under his fruitful tangerine tree while serenading his children & grandchildren with his favorite songs. Uncle Johnny touched a lot of people’s hearts with his

gift of music.

Uncle Johnny was the Master of Menudo. His cookings would consume the house with a potent perfume of red chili peppers and onions mixed with a blend of hominy, cumin and bayleaves that would have anyone come running to get a taste at first sniff. Juan was a dedicated fan of both the San Francisco 49ers and Giants. So much so, that he invested in a full collection of memorabilia and wardrobe of both teams, including an umbrella, mug, carryon bag, towel and a matching warm-up suit. He rarely missed watching a game and would emphatically give advice from his favorite lounge chair with enough gusto that the players

could surely hear him through the TV. His family giggled recounting stories of his favorite foods, beef jerky and ramen noodles, that he would hide away in the family adventure trailer. His special drumstick ice cream cones would be stashed away in the living room freezer to enjoy on hot summer days. Other sweet cravings included his celebratory upside down pineapple cake, lemon meringue pie for birthday celebrations and his must-have cranberry sauce that he and he alone would enjoy every Thanksgiving dinner.

His childlike wonder and incredible sense of humor were major components in his family’s reflections during his final days. Memorable highlights include him dressing up as the annual household Santa Claus, the way he would always craft funny faces at the sight of a camera, and his playful, witty banter with his wife and kids. He could verbally spar for hours and hours, fed by his contagious full-belly laugh that would orchestrate a symphony of laughter to follow.

He had undeniable strength in life and could overcome anything in order to take care of his family. That strength remained present even up to his last hours on earth. He was his family’s rock. He was the greatest provider. Juan gave his all to his family so they would never have to go without. He made sure to give his family everything they needed in a promise to himself for what he didn’t have growing up. The family will always remember his dedication in supporting his

family’s dreams and aspirations; from sitting in the bleachers at baseball & softball games to gallantly applauding from the audience at school plays. His greatest joy and honor as a father was to walk all of his daughters down the aisle and to witness all four of his incredible children create beautiful families of their own. How blessed he felt to be able to meet and hold all of his grand children and to see them create great grandchildren that would continue the love he and his wife shared for generations to come. But the most talked about stories were stories about his remarkable heart; one of limitless capacity

to truly and deeply love.

Papa left his family with the greatest gift a person can give: his own heart, the Ybarra heart. We all, as his honored family, have a little piece of him in our hearts that he has fostered, mentored and showered with love throughout our lives. He has taught us how to love unconditionally, to put family first and to be proud of who you are. He cultivated bravery in all of us in going after our dreams even when it seems impossible; He gifted us with

laughter and curiosity to use both in life’s most celebrated moments and in the face of our hardest times. He nourished us with the gift of forgiveness and compassion to give to strangers, to give to the ones we love the most and everyone in between.

Like it is said in his favorite song, Volver Volver by Vicente Fernandez: “y aunque todo me tortura, sé querer” (and even if everything tortures me, I know how to love.) John R. Ybarra always knew how to love, even in the hardest of times and will continue to love from heaven above, surrounded by passed family and

friends. His family is proud to wear the Ybarra name and even more honored to carry a piece of his heart. His family will be honoring his memory and sending him off to his next adventure at Lima Family Mortuary in Santa Clara on September 12th & 13th 2017. As they say their goodbyes, they all will internally hum the words to the song they will most remember him by. “Y me muero por volver.Y volver volver volver a tus brazos otra vez. Llegaré hasta donde estés”. (And

I'm dying to return. To return, to return, return to your arms once more. I’ll return to wherever you are.) Te amamos, Papa. Te amamos, Dad. Te amo, Juan.

In lieu of flowers or funeral compensations, John R. Ybarra’s family kindly requests that you donate in his name to help the people in need who have been effected by Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma. Please seek out a Hurricane Relief Fund of your choosing. John R. Ybarra always provided for those in need and those he loved. His family wants to continue his generosity by doing just that.