Midland Marine dies in Afghanistan

Image 1 of / 5 Caption Close Midland Marine dies in Afghanistan 1 / 5 Back to Gallery

A 2009 Midland High School graduate was killed in Afghanistan on Saturday after he was severely injured by an improvised explosive device (IED) and died from his wound, his family confirmed Monday.

Josue Ibarra, known to his family and church community as “Yoshi,” was the youngest of six born to Maria D. and Daniel Q. Ibarra, of Midland. He is survived by four brothers and one sister.

Ibarra was an active member of Midland’s Abundant Living Christian Center and was the first member of the church to have gone overseas to serve in the military, said the Rev. Abel Torres.

“He was just a precious person and a very obedient young man. He was always wanting to serve. When he left, I tried to convince him to stay because he was very helpful at the church,” he said.

Torres said Ibarra was close to him and his family and he treated him like he was his own son, even taking him with them on a trip to New York City after he graduated.

“He was part of the family,” he said.

The Ibarra family was notified Sunday afternoon of their son’s passing, Torres said. The Department of Defense could not confirm Ibarra’s death when contacted Monday evening. A public affairs representative said information is not usually released until 24 hours after next of kin is notified.

Torres said the Ibarras were building a house and had set a room aside for Ibarra when he returned from serving overseas. His sister, Adrianna Ibarra, said the family was told that an IED bomb went off and injured her brother Saturday around midnight Central Standard Time. Ibarra was taken in for medical help but didn’t survive, she said.

Adrianna, who is 10 years older than Ibarra, described her brother as an adventurous man who loved a challenge. He was very strong in his faith and with God, she said.

“He joined the military because he believed in what our country was fighting for and that he was going to make a difference. He always thought that things could change and be better,” she said.

She added he loved to travel and thought that he would have the opportunity to do so when he joined the military.

Ibarra was the first of his family to join the military and his sister said his decision to join surprised them all.

“But he was always very determined in his decisions once he made them,” she said.

Adrianna said her brother was very loving and friendly and always had a smile on his face.

“He was caring and always looking for someone that he could help or talk to about Jesus. His goal was to one day be a missionary,” she said. “He wanted to help everyone find God.”

Funeral arrangements were pending at Abundant Living Christian Center, 1610 W. Wall St., Torres said.

_______________________

Area deaths from Iraq/Afghanistan wars

Sgt. Conrad Alvarez of Big Spring (Feb. 20, 2008)

Marine Cpl. Daniel Amaya of Odessa (April 11, 2004)

Army Spec. Robert Arsiaga of Greenwood (April 4, 2004)

Army. Spec. Brian Baker, with Midland ties (Nov. 7, 2004)

Lance Cpl. Chad Bales of Coahoma (April 3, 2003)

Army Maj. Thomas G. Bostick Jr., with Midland ties (July 27, 2007)

Sgt. Bacilio E. Cuellar of Odessa (May 30, 2007)

Army Spec. Damian Garza of Odessa (Aug. 4, 2005)

Army Pfc. Clayton Henson of Midland and Stanton (April 17, 2004)

Army Staff Sgt. Kristopher Allen Higdon of Odessa (May 22, 2007)

Marine Josue Ibarra of Midland (June 19, 2011)

Capt. Joshua S. Meadows of Greenwood (Sept. 5, 2009)

Chief Warrant Officer Johnny Villareal Mata of Pecos (March 23, 2003)

Staff Sgt. Michael C. Murphrey of Snyder (Sept. 6, 2009)

Pfc. Jason T. Poindexter of San Angelo (Sept. 12, 2004)

Staff Sgt. Jason A. Reeves of Odessa (Dec. 5, 2010)

Sgt. Joshua W. Soto of San Angelo (June 16, 2009)

Army Spec. Robert Volker of Big Spring (Dec. 20, 2006)

Army Capt. Ellery R. Wallace, 33, a Big Spring High School graduate (Aug. 29, 2010)

Army Sgt. John Castro, of Andrews (April 23, 2011)

Army Cpl. Ray Bevel of Andrews (April 21, 2007)

Audrie Palmer can be reached at apalmer@mrt.com.

Respectfully share your support for the Ibarra family in the comment section below.