Philadelphia, PA/ San Benito, TX- Jose C. Ybarra entered into rest on April 12th, 2012 at his mother's home on Biddle Street in San Benito, Texas surrounded by his children, mother, and brother. Jose C. Ybarra was born in 1939 in San Benito, Texas to Maria B. and Fortino Huerta Ybarra. He is the fifth of seven children. He attended San Benito High School from 1954-1958 and played halfback for the football team. He was a member of the alumni association and attended the last reunion. After graduating from San Benito High School, Jose joined the U. S. Army. He served from 1958-1965. He completed Basic Training at Fort Carson, Colorado in December 1958 as part of the 9th Infantry Division, 3rd med tank battalion 68th armor. He received an Honor Graduate Certificate in teletype operation at Fort Gordon, Georgia on February 20th, 1959 as part of the U. S. Army Signal Advanced Individual Training Group. Jose later fought in the Vietnam War in 1964-1965. After his discharge from the Army, he relocated to Philadelphia. He worked for over 30 years for the phone company as a lineman, lineman supervisor and claims investigator. He met and married Virginia Dehaven Hartman and they had 4 children: Maria, Jose, Amanda, and Juan. They later divorced and Jose never remarried. Even though Jose lived away from San Benito for 54 years, he always visited his parents along with his children. He decided he wanted to return to San Benito to be close to his mother who has been living here for over 70 years. After retiring, Jose was actively looking for a home in this area before his death. He even planned his final resting place at Mont Meta near his father. Jose loved dogs, sports, and his country. He was a 3rd generation Mexican American and was very patriotic. He was a member of the National Rifle Association, gave to veteran's charities, and voted in every election. His license tag even read "WAR DOG". He had the American flag flying in front of his home and proudly announced that he was a Vietnam Veteran by posting stickers on his truck and wearing the Army Logo. He supported his oldest son, Jose, through West Point Military Academy. He was very proud of his sons who both served in the U.S. Army. He was preceded in death by: his father, Fortino Huerta Ybarra; and his brothers, Victor (U.S. Army) and Juan Ybarra. Jose C. Ybarra will be missed by his mother, Maria Ybarra; his brothers: Asencion (U.S.Army/Korean War Veteran), Martin (Delia), and Felix Ybarra; and his sister, Margarita (Donald) Evans. He is also survived by his daughters: Maria(Stuart-[Active Duty -U.S. Army])Ratliff and Amanda(Russell) Smith; his sons, Jose Ybarra and Juan L. Ybarra; and seven grandchildren: Mason and Julia Smith, Elena Ybarra, Hans B. Luft, Cory A. Traistaru, Jasmine and James Jackson. Among Jose C. Ybarra's many nieces and nephews are: Polly Cortez, Noemi Torres, Margarita Reyes, Maria Salazar, Karen King, David Evans, Sandra Hartman, Asension Ybarra, Josie Erickson, Richard Ybarra, Jose Luis Ybarra, Arnold Ybarra, Patrick Ybarra, Eric Ybarra, Mydra Ybarra, Veronica Ybarra, Yvette Castillo, Annaliza Ybarra, Alicia Rae Ybarra, Linda Ybarra, Juan Manuel Ybarra, Jr., Jose Moses Ybarra, and Joseph L. Ybarra. Visitation will be held on Friday, April 20, 2012 from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., with a holy rosary to be recited at 7:00 p.m., at Thomae-Garza Funeral Home in San Benito. Mass of Resurrection will take place at St Joseph Catholic Church in San Benito on Saturday, April 21, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. Committal service will follow to Mont Meta Memorial Park in San Benito with military honors under the auspices of American Legion Post 43 of Brownsville. Serving as pallbearers are: Jose M. Ybarra, Juan M. Ybarra, Jose C. Ybarra Jr., Juan L. Ybarra, Hans B. Luft, Cory A. Traistaru and Mason Smith. The family asks that in lieu of flowers or gifts that donations be made In Memory of Jose C. Ybarra to the Wounded Warrior Project at: https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/ Words of Comfort may be sent to the family of Jose C. Ybarra at www.thomaegarza.com. Funeral arrangements entrusted to the care of Thomae-Garza Funeral Directors located at 395 S. Sam Houston in San Benito, Texas, (956) 399-1331.