Rudolph Ybarra
Rudolph (Rudy) Rangel Ybarra, born April 7, 1930 in Riverside, CA, passed away peacefully with family by his side on January 10, 2019, at the age of 88. Rudy entered the United States Navy on October 20, 1948, and served in the Korean War on the U.S.S. Ernest G. Small as a Boiler Tender 3/C. On October 7, 1951, Rudy survived a naval mine explosion off the east coast of Korea that heavily damaged his ship, killed nine crew members and injured eighteen crew members. He completed his service with the Navy on October 10, 1952. After the Navy, Rudy returned home to Riverside and continued to serve his country as a civilian employee with United States Air Force at Norton Air Force Base until his retirement in 1985.
Rudy not only served his country, but he also served his community and the Catholic Church. For most of his adult life, he volunteered his time at Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine in Riverside, CA. Rudy served as an usher, a Eucharistic minister, mentored the youth to become altar servers, and supported the annual Fiesta by laboriously constructing and deconstructing food and game booths as well as collecting and counting the money for the fund raising event. Rudy felt a calling to serve his parish community in an even bigger capacity. On October 5, 1985, he was ordained as the first Permanent Deacon to serve at Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine. As the parish Deacon, Rudy dedicated himself to weekly home visits to the sick and elderly, assisting with Sunday services, marriages, baptisms, and funerals until his retirement from the position in 2006.
As a Deacon, Rudy was able to perform the marriage ceremonies for three of his children, baptize both his granddaughters, and give one granddaughter her First Holy Communion. These were some of the most memorable moments in both his life and those of his children and grandchildren. Rudy’s faith, strong work ethic and love for his family and God were admired by all.
Rudy was preceded in death by his parents Maria and Augustine Ybarra; Hortencia his loving wife of 63 years; infant son Juan; brothers: Anthony, Reyes, Cecilio, Manuel, and Frederico Ybarra; and sisters: Irene Salcedo, Guadalupe Avila, and Josefine Ybarra. He is survived by his children Antonio (Beverly Zehringer), Alejandro (Donna), Corraine, Yolanda Sena (Michael), Armando (Stephen Morgan), Amelia Ybarra-Hart; granddaughters Isabella Sena and Josephine Ybarra-Hart; sister Michelle Herrera (Pedro), as well as a large extended family, The family extends a special thank you to the caring staff of Raincross of Riverside Memory Care, the staff of Cambridge Hospice, and especially to his nurse Jane, who also cared for Hortencia until her passing. We would also like to thank Ana Maria Perez, who provided home care for Rudy and always treated him like family.
