Ernest Ybarra

After a couple of years in San Diego, California with family as a child, he moved permanently to Houston, Texas. Growing up, he spent time with his stepfather, Robert Barkley, camping and racing dirt bikes competitively. As a teenager and into his early twenties, he studied the martial art, Isshin-Ryū, and became proficient with weapons such as the bo and sai. After years of study, he obtained a third-degree black belt, competed in martial arts tournaments, and eventually took on part time teaching at the dojo.

He graduated Sharpstown Highschool in 1976 during which he worked at Gemco where he met the woman he would eventually marry, Clare Arnett. They were married on April 24, 1977, beginning their lives together.

He worked as a mechanic then eventually as his own boss as a General Contractor which provided for his family for over 30 years.

If Ernie wasn’t working hard, he was racing his drag-bike for the old Lone Star Raceway Park team, coaching his son’s baseball team, or spending time with his family playing Wahoo. He was always making his friends and family laugh with his goofy humor and never thought any situation was too much to overcome. His consistently positive attitude sometimes frustrated people, but he knew life was too short to worry too much. He was fiercely loyal, protective, and caring towards his family and always wanted to make them happy.

Over the years, he always took more than an interest in his family’s passions. He didn’t just sit in the bleachers for his kids’ baseball games; he coached the teams. When his son started skateboarding and playing guitar, he built half-pipes and gifted beautiful guitars. When his daughter wanted to learn drums and photography, he bought a drum kit and cameras. All the while, wanting to learn to do all these things with them.

He was married to Clare Ybarra for 47 years and affectionately called her “Shorty”. He always knew her favorite perfume to buy and always kept her laughing.

Along with his wife, Clare, Ernie is survived by his sister Pearl Barrett; brother Ray Ybarra; his children, Erickson Ybarra and Theresa Fuller; granddaughters Adeline and Emelyn; daughter-in-law Jaime Ybarra; son-in-law Josh Fuller; brother-in-law Reck; and many other extended family members and friends.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Linda Barkley; stepfather, Robert Barkley; and his grandparents.