euskalkultura.eus

25/06/2023 - Richland, Washington, EEUU

(publicado en Tri-City Herald, Legacy.com el 17 de julio de 2023)

On the afternoon of Sunday, June 25, 2023, Pascual "Pat" Iribarren passed away in Richland, Washington, with his children by his side, at the age of 86.

Always proud of his Spanish-Basque heritage, Pascual Alvaro Damien Iribarren Echeverria was born September 27, 1936, in the small village of Viscarret, Spain, to his mother and father, Martina Echeverria and Miguel Iribarren.

Pat's life was that of a true immigrant success story: he came here with nothing and achieved the American dream.

At the young age of 18, he traveled to the United States and began his lifelong career in agriculture and business, starting as a sheepherder near Walla Walla, Washington.

A few years later, while working as foreman of Cunningham Sheep Company, he met, fell in love with and married his wife of over 50 years, Jacqueline "Jackie" Gibson, of Pilot Rock, Oregon.

Pat and Jackie soon branched out on their own into ranching with sheep and cattle, starting south of Pendleton, Oregon, on Butter Creek, and eventually settling on their home ranch in 1968 near Mesa, Washington.

Pat and Jackie raised four healthy, happy children, working hard and persevering together through many challenges to achieve success.

Pat never stopped working, and he owned and operated a busy real estate business in recent years, providing home-ownership opportunities for many families in the Tri-Cities and Columbia Basin communities.

He loved his work and thrived on developing and creatively using his keen mind and innate business sense throughout his life.

Although his true passion was business, in later years, Pat also enjoyed traveling – especially to his Basque homeland near Pamplona, Spain – as well as playing golf and poker, excelling at both and competing in many tournaments over the years. Full of enthusiasm and energy all his life, he also loved to dance, to laugh and to make other people smile. Pat lived a long, productive, happy life, and above all, he loved and was loved by his family and many friends.

Pat was predeceased by his wife of over 50 years, Jacqueline Gibson Iribarren and by his parents, Martina Echeverria and Miguel Iribarren in Spain. He is survived by two sisters, Maria Angeles (Iribarren) Valcarlos and Begoña (Iribarren) Legaz, his four children, Martina, Miguel (Sonja), Patrick (Chavaun), and Steven (Sarah) Iribarren, his seven beloved grandchildren, Jack, Emi, Michael, Jenna, Diego, Braeden and Logan, 10 nieces and nephews, as well as by his former wife Virginia Velez, stepchildren, stepgrandchildren, and by his remaining cousins and relatives in Spain.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 22, 2023 at Mueller's Tri-Cities Funeral Home, 1401 South Union Street, Kennewick, WA. Services will be followed by a gathering for family and friends, to celebrate and honor Pat and his life, at Life Tribute Center, 314 West 1st Avenue, Kennewick, WA. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a memorial contribution in direct support of stroke research. Barrow Neurological Foundation - American Brain Foundation.

Goian Bego (GB) - May he Rest in Peace