Joseph Rey Ybarra

Joseph Rey Ybarra, 21, passed away on September 6, 2026, in Phoenix, Arizona.

Joseph was born on Christmas Day, December 25, 2004, in Globe, Arizona, to Ashley Gallo Newman and Emilio Ybarra. Christmas was already a special day, but from the moment Joseph came into our lives, it held an entirely new meaning for our family.

Joseph was kind, gentle, compassionate, polite and respectful. He cared deeply about people — probably more deeply than many ever realized — and he always seemed to know the right thing to say. The compassion he showed others and the goodness in his heart are things we will always admire about him.

Joseph loved to laugh, and his laugh was uniquely his. No matter the situation, he could find something to joke about or a reason to laugh. His sense of humor was simply part of who he was, and remembering it still gives us reasons to smile.

And then there was his hair. Joseph was definitely not a fan of people touching it. Family, however, seemed to get a pass. And if we didn’t, he loved us enough to never let us know.

More than anything, Joseph loved his family, especially his brothers and sisters. He was protective of them, cared deeply about each of them and always wanted to know they were OK. To his siblings, he wasn’t just Joseph — he was Joey, Jobie, JoJo or Bubba. Whether they were laughing and joking, talking, playing games or simply hanging out together, that time meant everything. To them, he will always be their big brother, their Bubba Joey.

Joseph loved video games, sci-fi movies and Asian cuisine. Gaming was one of his biggest passions and something he truly enjoyed. Now, those everyday things — a favorite game, a sci-fi movie or a certain meal — will carry memories of Joseph and remind us of the moments we shared with him.

Joseph graduated from Desert Vista High School in 2023. After graduation, he worked in the meat department at Safeway.

Joseph is survived by his parents, Emilio Ybarra and Ashley Gallo Newman (Tony); his sisters, Aundrea Ybarra and Raegan Newman; his brothers, Colton Newman and Wesley Newman; his grandparents, Tina and Bill Nixon, Gracie and Roberto Ybarra, and Tim and Susan Gallo; and his great-grandparents, Joe and Rita Gallo.

He is also survived by his Uncle and Aunt, Thomas and Jessie Gallo and cousins Jodi, Jemma and Maely; Tio and Tia, Julio and Vanessa Ybarra; and many other family members and friends who loved him dearly.

Joseph was preceded in death by his baby brother, Hunter Kane Newman, and his great-grandparents, LeRoy and Cassie Price.

Twenty-one years was nowhere near enough time with Joseph. There were so many more things we wanted to see him do, many more memories we expected to make and lots of years we thought we would have together.

We will remember Joseph’s kindness and compassion, his jokes and his laughter, and the love he had for his family. We will remember how sweet and loving he was with his grandparents and how fiercely he loved and protected his brothers and sisters. We will remember the gamer, the sci-fi fan and the young man who really didn’t want anyone messing with his hair.

And we will remember his hugs.

Joseph gave the best hugs. The kind you could feel long after he let go. Those hugs are something his family will miss more than words can say.

There will always be an empty place in our family where Joseph should be. But there will also always be a place where he remains — in the stories we tell, in the things that make us laugh because they remind us of him, in the games and movies that bring back memories, and in his brothers and sisters, who will forever look for him in the stars at night.

Every Christmas Day, while the rest of the world celebrates Christmas, our family will also celebrate the day Joseph came into our lives.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Rd in Phoenix, Arizona on Sunday, September 20, 2026 at 10:00 am.

We love you, Joseph. We miss you beyond words, and we will carry you with us always.