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Darrell Rubida Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Darrell Rubida
Diana Scholtens
May 28, 2008
Dear Loretta - I was so saddened to see Darrell's picture...with the notice of his death.
I remember one of the last times we saw him...he was showing us his vehicle. I think it was a truck (it was quite some time ago!)...I recall the luxurious front seats. Strange thing for me to remember, but I know he was so proud of that purchase. I hope he and you both had a lot of fun traveling around in that vehicle.
Know that our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Bob and Diana Scholtens
Jack LeFevre
May 25, 2008
Dear Loretta and Family,
I was so sorry to hear of your loss, Darrell was trully one of the nicest guys I ever worked with and I've often thought of him. I am glad (from information in the guestbook)that you two had such a great life together.
Again, I am sorry for your loss.
Jack Le Fevre (OakHill Service)
Bill & Carol Frazer
May 24, 2008
Dear Loretta,
We were so sorry to hear of Darrell's passing. We remember fondly our wonderful times square dancing with the two of you.
Donna Howell
May 22, 2008
To the Rubida Family,
We were quite saddened to hear of your loss. Unfortunately we are also going through a similar situation with Cecil's mother at this time and were unable to attend Darrell's services. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Sincerely,
Cecil & Donna Howell, and family
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Ken and Boots Steen
May 22, 2008
Dear Loretta....Kenny and I were shocked to hear of Darrell's death. We admired his courage through all his episodes with his feet, etc. He was such a lovely man. Sorry we weren't able to celebrate his life. Kenny is mostly disabled now and partially paralyzed. We'll keep you and the family in our prayers.
Love, Boots and Kenny
Dick Dennis
May 21, 2008
Lorretta,words cannot express the sorrow we feel at your loss.We'll miss his smiling face at the outings.
Dick & Zora Dennis
The Rubida Family
May 21, 2008
Remembering Darrell...
Darrell Authier was born to George and Avis Rubida on February 10, 1937 in Mitchell South Dakota. Darrell grew up on a farm in Forestberg with his parents and younger brother Dennis.
Darrell attended a one-room school house and helped on the farm. When Darrell was 13 he and Dennis had to step into their fathers shoes and work the farm when George passed away suddenly of a massive heart attack at age 49.
Darrell loved playing basketball and he appeared several times in the newspaper as #9, a 6'4" dynamo, for the Forestberg High School Buccaneers.
After graduating high school May 18th 1955, Darrell joined the Air Force and became an Air Force Base Police Officer. After serving 4 years including 18 months in Japan, Darrell settled in San Jose, California in 1960. He had jobs at ADT Security and Oakhill Service where he was a mechanic. Dennis soon moved to California and he and Darrell remained close.
In July 1962 Darrell was invited to a party where he met his wife of 45 years. Loretta was a young single mother of 5 and they hit it off right away. Darrell opened his arms, not only to Loretta, but to twins, Debbie and Russell, twins, Cheryl and Randy and little Karyn. Darrell married Loretta at the Chapel of Bells in South Tahoe on June 8th 1963. The following year Pam joined the family and 5 years after that Christine.
Darrell and Loretta bought their first house together in 1965 on Yale Drive in San Jose and didn't know how they were going to manage the $ 137.00 house payment. They did it though and that's where they raised their 7 kids through 1977.
Darrell started working for the US Postal Service in 1969 in the vehicle maintence department where he made some great friendships.
Darrell loved his black lab Jake who he trained and enjoyed duck hunting; his CB handle and nickname was Polar Bear. Weekends were spent working around the house and spending time with family and friends having dinners and playing cards. Family trips were taken to South Dakota, Oklahoma, Grand Canyon, Mount Rushmore, Yellowstone, Disneyland & several camping trips. Darrell and Dennis even went back to South Dakota for Pheasant hunting.
In 1977 Darrell and Loretta bought a "fixer-upper" in San Martin on 6 1/2 acres of cherry and walnut trees. Darrell was a farm boy at heart and worked very hard "working the land." He loved dogs and had many throughout the years, including 4 black labs. The "farm" also consisted of cats, horses, sheep, chickens, rabbits, a pig and a cow named Moo'er.
In 1979 the grandkids started making an appearence. First came Patrick followed by Kendra, Mary, Jennifer, Randall, Kyle, Erin, Laura, Lauren, Keriann, Jason, Alexandra, Breanna, Michelle, Melanie, Jamie, Courtney & Zachary who now are ages spanning from 29 to 8 years old.
In 1983 Darrell and Dennis moved their mother, Avis to Gilroy from South Dakota and in 1996 Avis passed away at the age of 93.
In 1986 Darrell and Loretta moved into great home in Gilroy where they lived for 20 years. In 1985 they took up square dancing and enjoyed that for 5 years.
In 1988, for Darrell and Loretta's 25th wedding anniversary, the kids threw them a huge surprise party complete with a tiered wedding cake and people came from as far away as Arizona. Darrell and Loretta went on their first trip to Hawaii, a honeymoon they never had. They LOVED Hawaii and always wanted to go back for more.
In 1991 Darrell and Loretta bought their first 5th wheel and began traveling and in 1996 Darrell retired from the US Post Office after 26 years. With his spare time Darrell took up golfing and reading Lewis L'amour books. Loretta also retired in 1996. They joined RV clubs and Miko became a part of the family in 1997. Darrell and Loretta went on monthly outings and made several great friends.
In 1997 Darrell and Loretta's son Russell passed away suddenly after complications from a surgery and in 2000 Darrell became a great-grandpa to Baine followed by Kaylynn, Jacob and coming this September... baby Elizabeth.
Darrell and Loretta have traveled all around the US to places like Washington, South Dakota, Maine, Cape Cod, Boston, Florida, Oklahoma, Arizona and all places in between in their 5th wheel. Darrell and Loretta made it back to Hawaii 2 more times and also went on cruises to Mexico and Alaska.
In 2007 Darrell and Loretta bought and remodeled a home in The Villages in San Jose where they share their back yard with deer, geese, squirrels and wild turkeys.
Darrell loved his family very much. He was a gentle giant with a big heart. He was quiet yet opinionated and had a great sense of humor. He was the Worlds Best Kibitzer while we played cards, loved watching Football, Golf and War stories on the History Channel and he loved his dog and his collection of caps.
His laugh was priceless, his love unforgettable. He was Loretta's "Love of Her Life" and his family's Hero.
Elizabeth (Helms)Hamann
May 21, 2008
Dear Loretta and Family,
My prayers are with you during this time of sorrow.
Ron & Renee McCabe
May 21, 2008
Loretta and family,
Please accept our condolences. We were saddened to hear about Darrell's passing. He was a neat guy. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time of sorrow.
Vito Cangemi
May 21, 2008
Darrell...I want to thank you for all the kindness you gave to me. I am truly going to miss seeing your smile. You are one of the finest men I have ever met and I hope I can be half of the man you were. I consider it both an honor and a privilege to have known you. You will be an inspiritation to me for the rest of my life. I respect, admire and love you very much. Thank you again for being the truly wonderful person you were. God is lucky to have you. I will miss you very much.
Karyn Lucas
May 21, 2008
Thank you Dad for all of your love, kindness and support. You are the best their is and we will all miss you terribly for the rest of our days. God blessed us all when he united you and mom and you have blessed us with your love. I know you are walking in the clouds without any pain. I love you Dad!
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