Henry Gilbert Vargas

Henry Gilbert Vargas age 78, died peacefully at his home on June 30th. He had a life changing encounter with a radioactive spider bite that led to years of crime-fighting and a couple years-long battle with a nefarious criminal named Cancer, who has plagued our society for far too long. His closest friends will recognize him as Blue Jay, so nicknamed due to his iconic love of wearing blue. His friend Dennis also said that he could climb a ladder to pick peaches faster than anybody in the world. His family knew him only as a kind, playful, and mild-mannered person with a good sense of humor. During his lifetime, he was a volunteer California Forest Fire Fighter, Dairy Worker/Ranch Hand, and Maintenance Worker for a cement company where he was given the Safety Award several times, the last for completing 18 consecutive years accident free. He loved his oldies music especially Freddie Fender and Patsy Cline, watching old westerns, and Judge Judy. He also enjoyed watching Football and Boxing with friends and family. He kept busy during his retirement years attending church, taking walks with his great grandchildren, and going to the local casinos.
He was born in Albuquerque, NM, and grew up in Tagus Ranch. He told his children stories of the long walks to Oak Valley school. He married his beloved wife Linda Pena who he met in high school.
He is predeceased by his wife, parents Estanislado Vargas and Dora (Delgado) Vargas, siblings Carmen Vargas, Pauline Maldonado, and Stan Vargas, and grandchild Richard Vargas Jr.
He is survived by his two sons Henry and Richard Vargas and their spouses Cynthia and Tami, and a total of 7 grandchildren, Cristopher Vargas, Christian Rodriquez, Samantha Torres, Felicia Vargas, Taylor Vargas, twins Dartanian and Denise Vargas, and in addition 4 great grandchildren, Brian Contreras, Alexander Vargas, Jaxon Vargas, and Sophia Vargas. His Sister Connie Mora, of Porterville, and brothers Lencho Vargas, of Los Lunas, and Paul Vargas, of Lindsey and their families.
Pallbearers: Christopher Vargas, Estevan Vargas, Christian Rodriquez, Dartanian Vargas, Michael Correia, and Raymond Gomez.
Funeral services will be held at Sterling and Smith Funeral Home, 409 N “K” Street, Tulare, CA, with viewing at 10.00 am and the service at 11:00 am, followed by a burial service at the Tulare Public Cemetery, 900 East Kern Street in Tulare.
Following the burial service, the immediate family has invited family and friends to a Funeral reception, to be held at the Tulare Elks Lodge, 1535 E Bardsley Ave., Tulare, CA 93274