Memorial services will be held on Friday, July 3, 2009, at 2:00 p.m. at RiverLakes Community Church, 4301 Calloway Drive, to honor the life of Joseph Paul Eribarne, who passed away Saturday, June 27, 2009, following a stroke on June 12. Joe was born in Bakersfield, the only and dearly loved child of his mother, Marguerite Eribarne and father, Joe P. Eribarne.

Joe proudly lived his entire life in Oildale, a distinctive community in the northern portion of Bakersfield. Joe attended Highland Elementary School, Standard Jr. High School, North High School, and Bakersfield College before attending the University of California, Davis where he completed a Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering in 1978. On June 11, 1988 Joe married Kathy Parnell, who has been his partner and support for the past 21 years. Joe worked as a Structural Engineer for two local engineering companies over the span of 22 years, before returning to UC Davis in 2000 to complete a Masters Degree in Structural Engineering. In 2001 Grace Elizabeth Eribarne was born. From the day she was born, Grace was the light of Joe’s life. In fact, based on watching certain television programs with Grace and Kathy, Joe enjoyed regularly chatting about what was happening on Dancing with the Stars and on Hannah Montana. Joe started his own engineering company in 2001. He was well respected in his field and was involved in the building of numerous structures within the Bakersfield area, throughout California, and in Washington State. Joe was not your “typical” engineer. His disarming personality and wit came as somewhat of a surprise to many he encountered. Joe was a gifted athlete and was active in many sports throughout his life. While playing baseball for North High, Joe was awarded the South Yosemite League Most Valuable Player Award his senior year for his pitching prowess. His 1973 NHS Star team won the league title. Joe continued to pitch at Bakersfield College until a shoulder injury interrupted his career. He later played in the 50-and-over baseball World Series as a pitcher in 2006. Throughout Joe’s adult years, he played basketball and softball in the local adult leagues with a group of Oildale-based friends known as the “Doggers”. This group were said to have played well past their prime, but they loved the game, the challenge and the camaraderie of being together. Joe was also competitive in racquetball, and was a strong bicyclist. He developed into an accomplished snow skier by attending each of the annual “ski weekends” with “the boys” for the past 17 years. Joe was able to introduce his daughter, Grace, to skiing within the past three years, which gave him great joy. Refusing to give in to “getting old”, Joe recently pursued an interest in body boarding in the ocean. Joe also loved to travel. Before Joe and Kathy married, he traveled throughout the countries of Europe. Together, Joe and Kathy traveled to his ancestral homeland in the French Basque country, Spain, England, Ireland, Scotland, New Zealand, Australia and the Cook Islands. He and his family also enjoyed many camping adventures in their travel trailer. In addition to his loving wife, daughter and relatives, Joe leaves behind many dear friends, some he has known since kindergarten, elementary, and high school. Joe’s “Dogger” friends and their extended circle of friends and acquaintances have served as constant sources of activity, love, and laughter. We will dearly miss our Jo Jo, but we will never forget his spirit, his humor, his laughter, and his unique, easy-going way. Joe is preceded in death by his parents Joe Sr. and Marguerite. The family and friends of Joseph Eribarne wish to extend a special thanks to the ICU staff at Bakersfield’s Memorial Hospital. Your kindness and the excellent care you gave Jo Jo are very much appreciated. For additional service information, please contact Basham Funeral Care at 873-8200. Joseph Paul Eribarne (Jo Jo) February 9, 1955 – June 27, 2009 Basham Funeral Care