Raymond Ybarbo

Raymond Ybarbo was born to parents Domingo and Aurora Ybarbo on February 19, 1945, in Stanton Texas. He went to his eternal home on Sunday, July 23, 2023, where he joined loved ones who went before him, to include his parents, his late wife Sylvia Ybarbo, and son Ray Eric Ybarbo.

For those who knew him best, it was fitting that he chose a Sunday to let go of his earthly life and return to our Father. His love of God and his faith in Him was great. He sought to strengthen his relationship with God by attending numerous retreats, over many years. He honored God by carrying His Words and Promises to others who need God the most through Prison Ministries. He lived his life determined that his words and his deeds each day would honor God. His service to God, his Church, his family, and to everyone he encountered in life did just that.

Raymond loved his friends and family with his whole being. His wife Sandra, who devoted herself to caring for his every need, especially during the most difficult days. He loved and was deeply proud of his daughter Marissa Ybarbo and his stepchildren Jose Cantu, Jr., Jessica Cantu, Jacqueline Cantu and his grandson, Justin Sanchez. Raymond was fiercely protected by his grand pup, Lila. Raymond is also survived by sisters Irene Diaz and Cecilia Street, and brothers Francisco Ybarbo and Juan Ybarbo, as well as many, many brothers and sisters in blue whom he enjoyed meeting for breakfast and other celebrations every chance he got. Raymond was loved by so many other extended family members, too numerous to list, and they were loved by him in return.

Raymond spent his life in service to others. He served his country in the United States Army National Guard. He served his community in the San Antonio Police Department in a variety of roles over a 33-year career. During his final eight years, he was awarded the great responsibility for training new officers as the Commander of the San Antonio Police Training Academy. During this time, he authored the Field Training Officers’ Program that is still in use with the San Antonio Police Department. Raymond received four Distinguished Service Awards from three different San Antonio Police Chiefs, amongst numerous other service and performance awards from the SAPD.

Raymond retired from the police department in 2003, but as a man who needed to serve, he only managed retirement for two years. In 2005, he started a business as a self-employed Criminal Felony Private Investigator. During the next eleven years, he investigated hundreds of felony cases for some of Bexar County’s best defense attorneys, and a newly elected District Attorney for whom he served for over nine years. In 2016, Raymond’s expertise was sought out by the Bexar County Precinct 4 Constable, where he was responsible for the daily administrative and managerial operations of the department, until he officially retired for the second time.

Reading, education, and running were his passions. He loved being surrounded by books, and his home is filled with them.

He was a life long learner, graduating from the University of Texas with a Bachelor’s of Applied Arts and Sciences Degree in Political Science and earned an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice from San Antonio College. He earned graduate hours from the University of Louisville in Kentucky and the University of Maryland in Washington, D.C. He was a Graduate of the U.S. Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Police Officers Academy in Washington, D.C., a Graduate of the Southern Police Institute, University of Louisville, Kentucky, a Graduate of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia, and Graduate of the U.S. Department of Justice, Dignitary Protection School in Washington D.C., and earned 5,124 total hours of Continuing Education with the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement.

Raymond needed to run, as much as he needed to breathe. He began running in Nixon, Texas and continued running his whole life. He competed in numerous organized runs, including 5ks, 10ks, half and full marathons, and he competed often in the Police Olympics. He was swift on his feet, and when he could no longer run, Sandra would take him on long drives so that he could still enjoy the scenery he so loved to look at while on his runs.

The world is a much better place because Raymond was in it. He would not want us to mourn his passing, but rather celebrate the legacy he had left for us to remember. He would want us to exchange happy stories, to recall the times he made us laugh, or marvel at his creativity and strength. He would want us to carry on where he had left off.

Thank you to all of his doctors and nurses who works so skillfully to give Raymond extra time to tell his family and friends how much he loved them and finish the things that were important to him. A final thank you goes to David Alvarado a brother in blue and a brother in Christ, a faithful friend who ran with Raymond until he took his very last breath, thank you.

For those who wish, in lieu of flowers, you may make a donation in honor of Raymond Ybarbo to the Parkinson’s Foundation.

In the spirit that defined him, Raymond would like to help others who are fighting Parkinson’s Disease. For those who wish, in lieu of flowers, you may make donation in honor of Raymond to the Punch Out Parkinsons Progam, 18351 Helotes Spring Road, Helotes, Texas 78023.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.sunsetfuneralhomesa.com for the Ybarbo family.