Mike Labarga was born on September 19, 1965 in Santiago, Cuba. He was the youngest of 9 children, including: Tally, Art, George, Ruben, Richard, Kris, Tony and Carmen. Mike lived in Palma Soriano, Cuba for the first three years of his life. Then, he would leave Cuba for a new life in Vacaville, California with his mother and eight siblings.
They would travel through and stay in a hotel in Mexico for several months awaiting passage to the United States. On September 7, 1968 with his mother and 8 siblings, the family would fly to Sacramento where they would be greeted by his father Arturo. His father had found and purchased a home for the family in Vacaville, California. They were finally all together again to begin their new life.
Mike would begin school at age 5 in the Vacaville School System. He attended Hemlock Elementary, Jepson Junior High School, and finished his education at Vacaville High School. It was during these years Mike developed his love of the great outdoors and sports. He then went on to play football for the Vacaville Bulldogs and was recognized by the local newspaper as “Vacaville’s Weapon” It was at Jepson Junior High School where he met the love of his life Kelly Munoz. They were Junior/High School Sweethearts, who would go on to marry on May 23, 1987 in Vacaville. They subsequently had three beautiful children: Kory, Kyle & Luke.
Mike was very much a family man. He was a caring brother, father, grandfather, and uncle. He had a great sense of humor, great smile and an infectious laugh. He loved fishing, camping, and gardening (he turned out to be pretty good at it as well). If he wasn’t busy working or spending time with the family, he’d be working on some project around the house (the last was to re-fence his property). He loved to cheer on his grandkids during their sporting events. He was always willing to assist any of his brothers, sisters, nieces, and nephews with anything they needed help with.
Mike’s untimely passing was on Thursday, January 18, 2024 at the home he loved. Mike is Survived by his wife Kelly, his sons Kory and Kyle, his three Grandchildren, Grason, Rylan and Kody. Mike was preceded in death by his parents Arturo & Aracelis Labarga & his youngest son Luke. A Memorial for Mike Labarga will be held from 5-7pm Wednesday, January 31, 2024, at McCune Garden Chapel in Vacaville, Ca.
A church service will be conducted jointly with his mother (Aracelis Labarga) on Thursday January 25, 2024, beginning at 11am at St Mary’s Church, followed by a 12-noon graveside service at the Vacaville-Elmira Cemetery. Family and friends are encouraged to attend a Celebration of Life Ceremony that will follow at the Ulatis Community Center, 1000 Ulatis Drive in Vacaville, Ca. beginning at 1pm for Mike and his mother.
