George Ruiz Ybarra

George Ruiz Ybarra joined his Lord on August 17, 2024 in San Antonio, Texas. He was born on July 26, 1942 in Saginaw, Michigan to Mike Ybarra and Tita Ybarra. George was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Florence Guerrero (Jesse); and his beloved wife of 57 years, Gloria Carranza Ybarra. He is survived by his daughters, Lisa Trevino (Robert) and Jennifer Schulze (Jonathan); sister, Beatrice Morales (Arnold); brother, Roy Ybarra (Andrea); grandchildren, Sarah Hetrick (Nathan), Rebecca Trevino, Brandon Schulze, and James Schulze; and great-grandson, Mark Hetrick.

George had many happy childhood memories of growing up in San Antonio, Texas, with his parents, his sisters, and his brother. After high school, George joined the US Navy, serving on the aircraft carrier USS Saratoga (CVA-60), and reaching the rank of Storekeeper 3rd Class Petty Officer. In the Navy, he traveled the world, and his experiences were the foundation for so many of his fascinating and humorous stories that he loved to tell to anyone who was willing to listen. After completing his military service, he returned to San Antonio and joined the Fire Department. He later joined the Police Department to become an Arson Investigator, and successfully completed the Police Academy alongside men ten years his junior. His friends in the Fire Department and the Police Department were friends for life. He eventually retired from the Fire Department at the rank of Lieutenant after 35 years of service. Afterwards, he worked for the Bexar County Appraisal Review Board, eventually serving as chairman.

He enjoyed hunting and camping in Colorado with his friends and his nephew, Chris; grilling at family gatherings; watching scary movies in the theater; visiting museums; rooting for the Dallas Cowboys; and sharing meals with his cousin, Eddie Ybarra. He was always ready for a road trip, even if it was just to drop trash at the local city dump with his son-in-law.

But family was always first and foremost to George. George married the love of his life, Gloria Carranza, on April 24, 1965. Together they built a family with their two daughters, Lisa and Jennifer. He attended all their school events as they grew up, and he was so proud of the successful women that his daughters Lisa and Jennifer had become. He adored his granddaughters and his grandsons. To his granddaughters, he will also be their “Bumpy”. For his grandsons, he devoted countless trips to Dairy Queen and toy stores, and he will always be remembered as the courageous slayer of two coral snakes in the backyard when they were infants.

George was so excited when his great-grandson, Mark, was born on George’s birthday just a few weeks before his passing.

George was a dedicated public servant; a hard worker; a kind husband; a loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather; and a wonderful, loyal friend to so many people. He will be sorely missed.

The family would like to thank the paramedics and nurses who cared for George at the very end.

Those we love don’t go away, they walk beside us every day. Our beloved father will always be cherished in our hearts.

SERVICESVisitation will be held on Wednesday, September 4, 2024 from 6:00 pm -7:00 pm, with a Rosary at 7:00 pm at Porter Loring Mortuary North. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, September 5, 2024 at 9:30 am at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church, with interment to follow at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery.