Joshua Levi Covarrubias

Joshua Levi Covarrubias was a dedicated family man, proud Marine Corps veteran, and fierce friend who loved comedy and motorcycles. In this life, Josh was determined to learn from the lessons of the past. He always strove to do better and be better before he left us on November 28, 2021.

Josh loved a good story, so let's start there. Josh was born on August 11, 1974 in Yuma, Arizona, where his father Ezequiel Covarrubias served in the Marines Corps. He was born in Yuma's Regional Medical Center to mother Jacqueline Wristen, where his parents paid a whopping five dollars to gain passage to the exit door. This fee included a jumbo size box of diapers, which Josh quickly laid to waste. Everyone loves a bargain. In 1976, after his father's Marine Corps discharge, Josh returned to Modesto. He would enjoy a humble but relatively normal childhood, including a year spent living with his grandmother in Mexico.

On more than one occasion, Josh ran into a challenge before thinking. This meant that Josh's spirit was too much for one mother to handle; he needed two. Melissa Griggs (his second mother), his two brothers, Adam and Ezequiel, and his cousin/brother Stephen rode side by side until the end. Literally rode -- the boys were raised on dilapidated motorcycles, shaky 4 wheelers, and dirt bikes on their last legs -- if it had a motor that would actually run, they were on it. This led him to one of his most fervent passions: motorcycles! It was a passion that stayed consistent throughout his life, challenging his budget as his PW80 gave way to wallet-clearing Italian race bikes. He loved taking his motorcycle to the track, with family and friends from all walks of life (Josh welcomed all types) in tow to make each trip more memorable. Over the years, this became a Covarrubias family tradition.

It was clear that, from an early age, Josh had a desire to prove himself. He followed the paths of his father and Uncle Randy by joining the United States Marine Corps in 1994. He served until his Honorable Discharge in 1998. The Corps gave him an irreplaceable group of steadfast friends -- his other family for life. Josh was quoted in the Marine Corp registry: "It was a proud time in my life; exciting and unpredictable. I traveled to 15 countries before I turned 23. I can't fit into this uniform anymore."

Humble, never talking about his job title, just doing the work as part of the team. He led from the front, actions before words- respect with both. This simple but effective approach allowed him to rise through the Aerospace industry and into food processing managing director.

After all the broken-down childhood bikes, the bits of broken Spanish, the white convertible Porsche he famously crashed in high school, his military service, countless cans of beer, and the expansion of several pant sizes, Josh met his loving wife, Mairu Covarrubias. Josh's dad famously said, "You won the lottery with Mairu." Fourteen years of marriage proved him right. Josh and Mairu built a wonderful home in Turlock, CA, where they would begin to raise their two beautiful daughters, Natalia and Penelope.

One look at Josh and Mairu's postcard-ready home would warm anyone's heart. In the fall, leaves scatter the lawn and a rabbit named Valentino challenges the neighborhood cats. Valentino is still standing, while the cats have fled the scene. All but one: Matsumi. Matsumi belongs to Josh's beloved niece, Yanara, who brings a teenaged vibrance (along with Korean TV dramas) to the house. In the summertime, the pool is full of kids and pot bellied adults. In winter, there are thick blankets and old movies from a time when we were all considered more attractive. Josh and Mairu's house is, and always will be, more than four walls and a roof. It's a warm cup of coffee and a favorite blanket. It's the place you run to when you need a reminder of what truly matters. It's the home where you know you will always be welcomed with a big smile, an even bigger hug, and lots and lots of carbs.

It is difficult to sum up a person's life in one short story, and there will never be enough words or clever ways to articulate Josh's charms. So we will leave you with some thoughts and feelings, a guidebook to your own adventure with Josh; something you can have anytime you want. If you want to find Josh, you will not have to search far -- listen to a child's laughter, dance with your partner, hug your family and friends, go on a walk and marvel at the beautiful trees and brilliant colors in the sky, feel the wind on your face, build something with your hands, ride a motorcycle, make art, listen to Metal, laugh at a joke you are probably not supposed to be laughing at. In that moment, a moment so precious that nobody can adequately describe it, you will find Josh. He is there waiting for you, and he always will be there with you.

You see, nobody ever really leaves us. The way we experience them simply changes. It's our responsibility to learn these new ways of experiencing them and share them with each generation. In the end, all we have is our people and our experiences. Josh will always be a reminder of what is right, of how we must take care of each other. We can grieve -- that is healthy -- but we must stop before it drowns us. Josh would want it that way. He would want us to celebrate his life, for our thoughts of him to pick us up, not take us down. Josh wants us all to strive to leave this world better than we left it, to take care of our mental health and keep our families close, even when we want to run, especially when we want to run.

Today his memorial is at Lakewood. The celebration is at 3:30PM to 4:30PM for family and 4:30PM to 8:00PM for friends. Please wear a little splash of red to celebrate him, because he was a Marine. It's guaranteed that, while he is now in the next place, we all know he is still telling jokes, fixing broken machines, hugging his family, and holding the line. Let's hold it with him.