John Mark Rubalcava

John was born on July 12, 1964 in Salt Lake City Utah to Rachel Villalobos and Frank Rubalcava. He grew up in Midvale, Utah, with his older brother Frank and his younger sister Jackie. He graduated from Hillcrest High School in 1983. He went on to graduate from the University of Utah in 1987.

Having a case of wanderlust he headed east to Florida. He worked for the Riverdale Addictions Treatment Center Program. On a drive across I10 one summer to visit his brother he decided to remain in Texas to be closer to him. He became employed by the Patrician Movement for over a decade as a substance abuse counselor, working his way up to a vocational counselor and supervisor in no time at all. It was there that he met his wife, Karen Palu, also a counselor and supervisor.

Following marriage and having two young girls; John went on to work for Juvenile Parole, Child Protective Services as well as Bair Adoption Agency. He worked two jobs for ten years to help support his family; his second job was at a nighttime clerk at Absolute Liquor. As his girls grew up, he wanted to spend more time together as a family. Thusly, he has worked for Signature Plating as Director of Customer Solutions for the last seven years.

Those who knew John will understand that the word which describes him best is gregarious. He was a man with a zest for life and laughter and a passion for his family. Hence, the sudden death of beloved mother was a tragedy from which he was still recovering.

John was preceded in death by his mother, Rachel; his grandparents, Margarita and Juan Villalobos and Bertha Bustillos, and Frank Rubalcava, and his father in law, Ernest Palu.

He is survived by his wife, Karen Palu Rubalcava, two children, Christina and Victoria Rubalcava, his older brother, Dr. Frank Rubalcava and his wife Rosie, his younger sister, Jackie Pendleton and her husband, Bill. In addition he is survived by his father, Frank Rubalcava and his mother in law Mary Ann Palu and 4 nieces and 5 nephews.

Visitation will be at Sunset North Funeral Home on Wednesday July 18, 2012 from 6 P.M. to 8 P.M. Church services will begin at 10:00 A.M. July 19, 2012 at University United Methodist Church. Graveside Services will immediately follow at Mission Park North Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Williams Syndrome Association.

The world lost a good man, but we look forward to the time we will be together in Heaven.