Felipe Vargas

Felipe (Phil) Vargas, a son; brother; father; uncle; grandfather; and mentor, went to be with the Lord on July 4th, 2011 at the age of 48. Born in Tulare, October 25, 1962 and raised in Goshen, CA. He attended Visalia Schools and graduated from Redwood High School where he was involved in many sports. He spent 25 years employed as a top construction foreman at P&G Communication. He took pride in his work and was often quoted as "Laying down the future" as he laid down fiber optic cable that would later bring the internet and wireless communication to Visalia The Construction Foreman and Sports Enthusiast is finally free of pain and now soaring with the Angels. During his all too brief time he shared with us; it was on the Recreation Fields of Tulare where he not only left his greatest legacy, but loved to spend most of his time. As a youth, Vargas was a natural at any and every sport he ever participated; however, it was on the diamond where a love of the game turned into a legacy of coaching. With a bag of sunflower seeds in hand, he was always ready to share his love of the game with people in the Community. Blessed with a talent to teach, Vargas devoted all of his spare time to coach ASA Girls Softball throughout the Central Valley. When there weren't any teams to take to tournaments, Vargas focused his efforts on individuals who would be taught the game. In what some would call a makeshift baseball combine, he saw "The Field of Dreams"; an incredible handmade training complex built in his backyard. When he wasn't coaching or talking about baseball, he could be found with that bag of seeds, doing whatever was needed to get to a T.V. or Transistor Radio to hear Vin Scully utter those immortal words... "It's time for Dodger Baseball!!" Coaching teams and individuals; Vargas' accomplishments include, but are not limited to, multiple Valley Championships. When competing in National Championships; his teams always finished in the Top 20. Additionally, his coaching helped an Athlete reach the dream of representing the U.S.A in the Olympic Games! Phil fought his way through many obstacles in his life, including numerous health problems. He always had a smile on his face and really has shown what it means to be a "fighter." He exhibited a positive outlook on life and in work. This trait has whole-handedly been passed on to his own children. In his passing, he leaves behind his family to cherish his memory and celebrate his life. He had 3 children: Daughter, Alesa Janice (24); Sons, Phillip Andres (22) and Christopher Danel (16). Grandchildren: Drew Brenden Leon (4), Kylie Grace Vargas (2), and Olivia Mykal Vargas (9 months). Sibilings: Amelia Rivera, Narciso Vargas, Ralph Vargas, Pete Vargas, Frank Vargas, Daniel Vargas, Steve Vargas, Robert Vargas, and Mary Wintermyers; he also leaves behind many nephews and nieces. Preceded in death by his parents, Cirilo and Carmen Vargas and brother Manuel Vargas. Phil will be loved and missed by his Family, the Softball Community, and his Peers. "The game will continue, but will never be the same." A memorial account is set up at Wells Fargo to help the family with funeral costs under Phil Vargas Memorial Fund, Account #8533616895.