Samuel - Age 24 - Los Alamos - Yarbro -

Samuel Lee Yarbro, 24, of Los Alamos, died on Sunday, December 15, 2013 as the result of injuries sustained from a tragic accident in Los Angeles, CA. He was a PhD student in the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) school of Materials Science and Engineering planning a career researching and developing electronic materials. Samuel was born in Los Alamos on March 27, 1987, a gift from God, to parents, Stephen and Tresa Yarbro. Sam grew up in Los Alamos and attended Los Alamos schools graduating from Los Alamos High School (LAHS) in 2007 where he was a member of the varsity soccer and track teams and enjoyed snowboarding with his friends at Pajarito Mountain Ski Area when there was snow. After graduating LAHS, he attended the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) where he earned a BS in Physics. While at UCSB, Sam spent time in Australia, teaching math to the native Australians as part of a work-study program to help disadvantaged minorities.\r\nAfter graduating from UCSB in 2011, Sam was employed by Brylon Industries, where he used his physics background to calibrate and deploy instrumentation for various high-tech firms in the Santa Barbara area. He eventually became the manager for the quality assurance and testing lab at Brylon before leaving to pursue his advanced degree at UCLA.\r\nSamuel is survived by his parents, Stephen and Tresa Yarbro of Los Alamos; brother, Daniel Yarbro of San Antonio, TX; maternal grandparents, Ronald and Donna Hallford of Farmington; paternal grandfather, Weldon Yarbro of Lovington and a number of aunts, uncles and close relatives. He is also survived and cherished by his girlfriend, Marla Mockus of Los Angeles, CA.\r\nSam touched many people during his life with his humor and his compassion. He was not interested in material things, and cared for others often putting his own needs aside to attend to theirs. The measure of his life is not in the number of years he lived or the number of things he had but in the many people who remember him fondly and deeply regret his premature death. He was a worthy son, an excellent friend and a bright light in a darkening world.\r\nA brief memorial service is planned for Friday, December 27, 2013 at 10:00 am at the White Rock United Methodist Church at 580 Meadow Lane, White Rock. To let us all gather our special memories, please post your favorite pictures and share your stories of your times with Sam on Samuel Yarbro’s Facebook memorial page. Instead of flowers, the family requests that you consider a donation to Coats for Kids Foundation Operation WARM at http://www.coats-for-kids.org/. The family of Samuel Lee Yarbro has entrusted their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Española Valley.

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