Efigenio Ybarra passed away on July 6, 2019.
Efigenio was born July 10, 1925 in El Pilon, Tamaulipas, Mexico. In 1940, at the age of 15 years, he traveled to Texas. He settled into the town of Weslaco where he met and fell in love with Celia Ybarra. They married in 1947. The family moved to Watsonville, arriving on Easter Sunday in 1960.
He worked in agriculture for 65 years. His kind heart and hard work ethic assisted him in moving up to the position of manager with local growers. His last employer was Lakeside Organics. He was a dedicated father, beloved grandfather and loyal friend. He had a generous spirit that never passed an opportunity to help a person in need. He was proud to be a U.S. Citizen and enjoyed talking politics and current events. He had a wealth of stories about his childhood and about Texas.
He loved California, because there is plenty of work here and an opportunity to prosper. He often said he was working every day so that his children could have a good future. He valued family, education, and encouraged his children and grandchildren to attend college.
He is survived by his children Roberto (Martha), Ruben (Pita), Anna Ybarra, Mary Boyd (Jerry), Gloria Amaya (Leo), Rudolfo (Mary), Lulu Y. Jaquez (Rick), Jaime (Angie), Sylvia, David (Nancy), Lydia Y. Lopez (Alfredo), Laila Y. Vazquez (Javier) and Rosemary; beloved nephew, Cleo “Junior” Martinez (Maggie); 28 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; three nieces and former son-in-law, Bill Hernandez and former daughter-in-law Josephine Barcelo. He was preceded in death by his wife Celia Ybarra, son Santiago Ybarra, and great-grandchild Daniel Cabrera.
Visitation was held Thursday, July 11, 2019 from 5 to 9 p.m., with the rosary at 7 p.m. at Mehl’s Colonial Chapel. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, July 12 at 10 a.m. at Assumption Church, with burial to follow at Valley Public Cemetery.
