Paul Yañez Ybarbo

Longtime Woodland resident, Paul Yañez Ybarbo, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 28, 2022, just two months after discovering he had stage four prostate cancer. He spent his final weeks surrounded by his entire family and showered with love at his home in Woodland, CA. Paul was born in 1939 in Nixon, Texas to Filemon and Trinidad Ybarbo. He lived in Texas, Montana, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico before moving to Northern California, where he attended Dingle Elementary and Beamer Elementary. After graduating from Woodland High School in 1958, he immediately enrolled in the U.S. Army, serving as a designated marksman. After completing one term of active duty – exactly one year, eleven months and twenty two days - he returned to California and met his forever sweetheart, Irene Murrieta, whom he married in 1964. For the next seven years, he dedicated himself to completing his Associates Degree from Santa Ana College, while simultaneously working full-time as an electrical apprentice. He and Irene also started a family, raising three children. Paul spent nearly 25 years as an electrician at UC Davis before retiring in 1999.Paul was active within the Holy Rosary Community as well as a member of the Knights of Columbus. He was always eager to meet someone new, try something new, or build something new. He had a strong handshake and a contagious laugh. He liked his beer cold and his soup hot and was the king of Sunday Drives…any day of the week.Paul loved sports and was a football star in high school, playing tackle for the Woodland Wolves. He was also on the battlegroup Army football team while stationed in Germany, and while studying sociology and mechanical engineering at Santa Ana College he played interior lineman. In 1962 he helped the unbeaten Santa Ana Dons make their way to the Junior Rose Bowl, winning the national championship. Shortly after the win, head coach, Myrel Moore, said, "Paul has shown an uncanny ability when it comes to diagnosing a play. He seems to know just when to plug the gap and break up an opponent's play. We have relied heavily on him during the past season. His spirit and leadership in the line have been superior." After hanging up his football cleats, Paul could be found cheering his beloved UC Davis Aggies from the stands of Toomey Field. He was an avid fan of the San Francisco 49ers and Giants too.Paul also loved fishing, boating, camping and the great outdoors. His happiest days were spent driving to the San Francisco Bay before sunup to launch his boat in Benicia for a day of fishing. He was always excited to be out on the water with his buddies and even more excited when they brought home a big catch, be it salmon, sturgeon or bass. But his ultimate love was his family. Paul is survived by his wife, Irene, three children (Paul, Kathryn and Alicia) two sons-in-law (Rudy and Mark) and four grandchildren (Jack, Lucy, Logan and Amelia). Irene dedicated her life to taking care of Paul and their children while working for 30 years as Assistant CCD Director (now known as Faith Formation) at Holy Rosary Parish. Son, Paul Ybarbo, is a real estate agent for Sotheby's International Realty and lives in San Francisco. Daughter, Kathryn Ybarbo Rupert, is a project analyst for Student Affairs at UC Davis, in the Office of the Vice Chancellor and Student Disability Center. She is married to Rudy Rupert, and lives in Woodland. They have two children together, Logan and Amelia. Daughter, Alicia Ybarbo Zimmerman, is a coordinating producer for NBC News, TODAY Show and is married to Mark Zimmerman. They have two children, Jack and Lucy, and live in New York City.When asked what Paul wanted his legacy to be, he responded with, 'kind, understanding, humble, truthful and loving all sports is how I want to be remembered." No doubt he did just that. Que Dios te bendiga siempre!A vigil will be held on January 10th between 6pm and 8pm at McNary's Chapel at 458 College Street in Woodland. Extraordinary Lay Minister Rick Ybarbo (cousin of Paul Ybarbo) will lead the service. A celebration of life is planned for Wednesday, January 11th at 10am at Holy Rosary Church Community Center, 503 California Street, Woodland. Father John E. Boll will officiate.Interment will follow at 11am at St. Joseph Cemetery, 860 West Street, Woodland.In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Holy Rosary Church. https://holyrosary.com or California State Parks Foundation, https://www.calparks.org/
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