SSG (Ret.) Jose Ybarra

SSG (Ret.) Jose (Pepe) Ybarra, age 59, of Killeen, Texas, passed away Friday, October 25, 2013; after battling almost 4 years of terminal lung cancer at his home. He was born on September 3, 1954 to Olivia M. Ybarra & Alfredo C. Ybarra in San Marcos, Texas.

SSG (Ret.) Jose Ybarra is survived by his wife of 43 years Janie Garcia Ybarra, eldest son Jose G. Ybarra Jr., daughter Janice G. Ybarra, daughter in-law Sylvia Salinas Ybarra; grandson: James-Curtis Salina Ybarra, Antonio Salinas Ybarra, Carlos Salinas Ybarra & Daniel Jose Ybarra- Salinas, granddaughters: Victoria Cassandra Ybarra-Salinas, Matilda Sallinas Ybarra, Amelia Gabriele Ybarra-Salinas, & Chasity Jordan Ybarra; siblings; Princess Hope Ybarra, Alfred K. Ybarra and his wife Francis G. Ybarra, John R. Ybarra and Jesse M. Ybarra. Jose Joined the U.S. Army in 1973, and retired with 20+ years of service in Fort Hood, Texas. He and his family made Killeen their home after retirement. He was a man of many talents. SSG (Ret.) Ybarra continued to work after retirement from the military in many different areas to include; installing satellite, as a water purifier & installing alarm systems.

He was always a generous man, when someone close like family or friends were in need of any kind of help. A huge animal lover, always wanting to take in strays and give them to a good home. As a party animal, he wanted to take care of every little thing when he hosted gatherings at his home. And he was always telling jokes; one of he’s favorites was, “Why does the Easter Bunny hide its eggs?” “For him to know and you to figure out!” Also one of his favorite sayings was “If you don’t laugh at least once a day, you ain’t living.” He will be greatly missed, but never forgotten. Preceded in death by his youngest son/child, James-Curtis Garcia Ybarra(2013), mother in-law Donaciana Garcia(2011), granddaughter, Valerie Alexandra Ybarra-Salinas(1998), mother Olivia M. Ybarra(1993), father Alfredo C. Ybarra(1984), & father in-law Hermenegildo Garcia(1983). The Ybarra family will receive guests for a time of visitation on Thursday, October 31, 2013 from 6-8 PM in the chapel of Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home of Killeen. A Rosary will be recited at 7:00 PM. Funeral services will be held on Friday, November 1, 2013 10 AM at Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home of Killeen. Burial will follow in the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery with full military honors. Please share condolences with the family by visiting www.crawfordbowersfuneralhome.com