It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved father Verdell Anthony Yorba of Bossier City, Louisiana. He died peacefully after a battle with cancer on May 6, 2023, at the age of 93, at the NWLA Veterans Home.
Funeral services for Mr. Yorba will be held on Friday, May 12, 2023, with visitation from 1-2 pm; memorial service at 2pm; followed by a graveside committal service at Hill Crest Memorial Funeral Home & Park, Deacon Jeff Chapman presiding.
Yorba, as everyone called him, was born on February 12, 1930, in San Juan Capistrano, California. He is a descendant of Jose Antonio Yorba, a soldier with the Spanish Portolà Expedition of 1769-1770 who helped found the Franciscan Missions of California. Yorba is also a tribal member of the Juaneño Band of Mission Indians Acjachemen Nation. He attended Catholic schools in southern California and lived there until he was 17. He excelled in sports especially track. He was a Catholic altar boy in his youth. And he loved to fly and received his pilot’s license at the tender of age of 16 as a pay-off for odd jobs.
He enlisted into the US Air Force in 1947 at the age of 17 and served his country as a flight mechanic until his honorable discharge in1968 at the ranking of master sergeant. He married his late wife Van on March 3, 1951 and they traveled throughout the USA and overseas for his 20+ years of service with 4 children in tow. He did a tour of duty in Tulle, Greenland and Incirlik AFB, Turkey.
He made a loving home for his family in Bossier City in 1968 and remained in the city until his death. After his USAF retirement, he worked for the State of Louisiana Department of Motor Vehicles for another 20+ years. During his tenure, he would use his Spanish language to assist many Mexican and South American immigrants. He never met a stranger, and everyone loved his sense of humor and energy for life.
He retired from the DMV after his wife was diagnosed with breast cancer, but he took good care of her for 5 years during her lengthy battle. Together they raised a family of 4 children, and he is fondly called Nano by 6 grandchildren.
He was a wonderful man, husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, uncle, brother-in-law, friend and so many other hats that he wore so effortlessly. He showered his family and friends with so much love, joy and affection. He told silly ghost stories to his grandchildren about the Mexican La Llorona and inappropriate jokes to his friends. He was fun-loving and loved to dance especially jitterbug and the Mexican hat dance at Nicky’s. And he loved country music, especially Willie Nelson, whom he had the chance to meet. For many years, Yorba was an avid deer hunter and spent his weekends at the Four Y Club with his sons and grandsons trying to harvest a deer, which he did many times with ease. He also enjoyed a monthly poker game (and a lot of jokes) with his sons and family friends. Fishing became a new passion in his later years.
Yorba enjoyed traveling the world during his service, and after, for pleasure to places like Vegas, the Western states and national parks. He took many fun family trips to California and the Great Smokey Mountains. He even took a trip at 86 yrs. old with his daughter & granddaughter to Spain (& France & Italy) to find his roots. He was proud of his Spanish heritage. He was proud of his kids! And he took great joy in sharing so much of his positive energy with those around him.
His zest for life was amazing! And he surprised many people by how well he lived even into his 80s. He never slowed down and he always tried to help his family and friends with their home improvements. He had a knack for carpentry and did many of his own remodels for his wife. In his last few years, he resided at the Bloom at Bossier Retirement Home and enjoyed being selected as the Mardi Gras King for their celebration. He played Chess, Scrabble and Dominos with other Bloom residents, and loved Sudoku and Crossword puzzles to keep his mind sharp. He jotted down his memories for his family to cherish. And he made friends with everyone he met! He might have been an ordinary man, but he was extraordinary to his family, and he will be deeply missed!
Yorba was preceded in death by his loving wife of 45 years Marjorie “Van” Yorba, his son Glenn Yorba, his parents Joseph & Lydia Yorba, his sisters Gwendolyn McQueen and Evangeline Nieblas, his sister-in-law Moselle Thomas and his brothers in law James Nieblas, Joe Gay, Frank Ernesto and Don Thomas.
He is survived by his sons Norman Yorba and wife Patty, Michael Yorba and wife Sherrie, daughter Vanessa Jones and husband Johnny, daughter in law Pam Yorba, grandsons Randy Yorba Jr., Michael Yorba Jr. and Lobo Yorba, granddaughters Angela Yorba, Ashley Rodrigue & husband Andre and Natalie Roberts & husband Corey, brother John Yorba & wife Kathleen, sister in law Glynda Ernesto, 9 great grandchildren, several great great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Our family would like to extend our deep appreciation for the love and care given to our dad especially the staff at the Bloom, the NWLA Veterans Home, Bristol Hospice, Dr. Shah and staff, Dr. Snead and staff at Christus Cancer Center and Dr. Bienvenue and staff.
