Tributes

Alejandro (Alex) Suarez Ybarra entered into eternal life Friday, October 18, 2019 after a courageous battle with cancer. He leaves behind his wife, Dorothy, and her mother, Marie Matcek, as well as three daughters: Stephanie, Michelle, and Jacquelynn. He is also survived by his siblings and their spouses: Judith Hewitt and husband, Jim; Caroline Knauth and husband, Danny; Suzanna Summerlin and husband, Scott, and Andrew Ybarra and wife, Tammy. Alex was blessed with several nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, and uncles. Alex was the eldest of the five children born to Alejandro J. Ybarra and Carmen Graciela (Grace) Suarez Ybarra. He studied mathematics and music at Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State University), acquiring a bachelors in music education and a masters in education, with an emphasis on music. He was a band director for seven years, sharing his great love for music and passion for excellence with many students and colleagues. One summer, as a way to supplement his teaching income, Alex ventured into auto sales, which he also enjoyed, working both the lot and in the finance office for a few years. Desiring to spend more time at home, he applied for and was hired into USAA as a personal property claims adjustor ultimately training into a field adjustor position and celebrating his retirement in 2018 after 26 years of service. He greatly loved and took pride in his work at USAA as he helped people to recover their setbacks caused by fires and natural disasters. He encouraged, trained, and mentored a number of colleagues, and he spoke glowingly about his loved ones to his workplace friends, sharing stories of everyday (and not so everyday) life. Alex continued to play the saxophone and the clarinet in a number of ensembles, including the USAA Concert Band, the Jazz Band, and the Jazz Combo. He also played professionally with the Sentimental Journey Orchestra and the Seven Dutchmen Orchestra. He especially enjoyed playing “big band” music, and he was a consummate musician. Like a multi-faceted jewel, Alex also shone in his faith community of St. Brigid. He served in the Lector Ministry, and was a long-time member of the Music Ministry, where he sang baritone/bass, played saxophone and clarinet, and on occasion, assisted his wife, Dorothy, with directing and other duties. Always a teacher, Alex imparted musical knowledge in every rehearsal to those in attendance. But he also shone in the social events of the ministries, leading singing, games, and just sharing his smiles and dry, witty humor. He loved to make people laugh and feel happy. Alex also enjoyed taking to the stage in musicals and plays produced by the St. Brigid Performing Arts Ministry. His commanding presence and strong voice typecast him for certain roles, and he relished in “hamming it up”. Behind the scenes, he was a tireless and strong worker, using skills he learned in construction to help with building sets and risers. He was always willing to help take some of the pressure and workload off Dorothy in any way that he could. Alex loved his family dearly, and that included his extended family all across the U.S. He was especially faithful in attending family reunions and reconnecting with his grandmother, aunts and uncles and cousins. He was very proud of his familial roots! An avid reader, Alex loved books and loved absorbing knowledge. His reading topics extended from science fiction, history, western novels and intrigue. Many cherished memories with his daughters include weekly visits to the public library to restock on their favorite publications. He also liked to read about cars and motorcycles—anything that went “vroom!” Alex loved to cook for his family, especially favorite family recipes in the comfort food category. He often prepared the better part of Christmas dinner and did more than his fair share of Christmas shopping. Lastly, Alex had a huge and kind heart where animals are concerned. Part of his loving experience was a commitment to prevent suffering of lost strays and even wildlife. He and Dorothy took in several rescue dogs and cats over the years, and he was always generous with resources for their care. He developed extremely close attachments with some of the rescue pets, and doted on them almost like children. It should be mentioned that he also leaves behind the family dog, a rescue named Cassidy. It is appropriate, then, that in lieu of flowers, those who wish to honor Alex’s memory donate to organizations which save animals. Please send your support in the name of “Alex Ybarra” to one of the following organizations: Alamo City Pit Bull Rescue and Rehabilitation (alamocitypitbull.org) or San Antonio Pets Alive (sanantoniopetsalive.org) to continue the legacy of caring for those who cannot speak for themselves. Memorial services for Alex Ybarra are as follows: visitation on Wednesday, October 23, 2019 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., with a Rosary Vigil service at 7 p.m. at Mission Park North Funeral Chapel, 3401 Cherry Ridge, San Antonio. The Mass of Christian Burial will be prayed on October 24, 2019 at 10 a.m. at St. Brigid Catholic Church, 6907 Kitchener Street, San Antonio. Interment will follow in Resurrection Cemetery, 11624 Culebra Road, San Antonio (Cordi Marion), with a reception upon return to St. Brigid Vance Hall.