John Ruiz Barra

John Ruiz Barra

July 18, 1942 - Mar. 7, 2023

It is with sad hearts that we share the passing of our beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and uncle, John Ruiz Barra.He will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure of sharing time with him.

John R. Barra, 80, of Brawley, peacefully passed away on Tuesday morning, March 7, 2023, at home. He was born in Malaga, CA, on July 18, 1942, and was raised in Brawley, where he attended Hildalgo Elementary School, Barbara Worth Jr. High School, Brawley Union High School and graduated from Imperial Valley College in 1991. He was drafted into the United States Army, and served his country in the Vietnam War, and was a disabled veteran.

John later retired from the Brawley Elementary School District, a job he truly loved and cherished. He met the love of his life, Sylvia Brown, from Firebaugh, CA, at the Red Top Drive-In in Brawley, whom he later married.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Sylvia Brown Barra; son, John Pacifico Barra Jr.; parents, Pacifico Sr., and Genoveva Barra; sisters, Rosa Garcia, Alice Bana Barra, and Lupe Cuata Barra; and brothers, Pacifico Jr. and Manuel R. Barra.

John is survived by his daughter, Melissa Barra; and son-in-law, Angel Mejia of Brawley; son, Richard Barra and daughter-in-law, Jeanette of Brawley; grandchildren, Catrina Romero and her husband, Michael of Sacramento; Angel Jr., Mejia of Brawley; and John Emmanuel Barra of Los Angeles; great-grandson, Zavier Romero of Sacramento; siblings, Rosie Rubio and husband, Richard Rubio; brothers, Paul Barra and wife, Susan Barra, and Joe Barra and wife Jenny Barra of Brawley; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Funeral services for John will be held on Friday, March 24, 2023, from 9am-12pm at Frye Chapel & Mortuary, 799 S. Brawley Ave., Brawley, CA, 92227. Burial will be held at Riverview Cemetery, 4700 Hovley Rd., Brawley, CA, at 12:30pm. Followed by a reception at the American Legion, 509 G St, Brawley, CA.

Donations for funeral costs are welcome and greatly appreciated; please contact Frye Chapel at (760) 344-1414, under the name John Barra, for further information.