Raul Mark Yarbrough

Mark was born March 31,1959 in the Echo Park area of East Los Angeles. He passed away on Monday, February 22, 2021, due to complications of the novel coronavirus COVID-19. He leaves behind his loving and faithful wife of 38 years, D. Shelly Yarbrough and adult children Garrett, Kenneth, Schyler, and Andrea. Mark is also survived by his mother Maria Macias-Valeriano, stepfather Jose, his brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, grand-children and countless friends and colleagues.

From East L.A., his family traveled the harvest trail and eventually relocated to Perris, California where he attended Perris High School and graduated class of 1977, later voted as Alumni of the Year in 2014. Mark took his passion for mechanics and pursued higher education and graduated from the Arizona Automotive Institute. He continued his education to become a Volvo Master Technician with Volvo Cars of North America.

Throughout his career, he was an accomplished business owner of Swedish Speed, Champion Automotive, Champion Towing and Warrior Motorsports.

Mark selflessly served the City of Perris as a council member for 19 years (1996-2014, 2015-2016), including as Mayor Pro-Tem. In his dedication to the community, Mark participated in events such as the annual Christmas Parade, Veterans Parade, Rods and Rails, Tour De Perris, Live Well Perris, Military Banner Program, Beautification Committee of Perris and many others.

To bring change to the community, he served on the March Joint Powers Authority as Commissioner and Past Chairman. He also served several county committees such as Riverside Transit Authority, Riverside County Habitat Conservation Authority, Western Riverside Conservation Authority, Community Action Partnership, and Southern California Council of Governments. 

As a staunch advocate for veterans, Mark was a member and former Commander of the Sons of the American Legion Post 595, the American Legion Riders and VFW Post 888 Auxiliary. He loved to volunteer serving breakfast and coordinating fund-raisers such as blood drives for the American Legion.

Mark was a huge fan of auto racing and spent many weekends at the Perris Auto Speedway. His hobbies were boating, bicycling, hiking, camping, and water skiing. In his younger years, he was even a Ski Instructor at Mount Baldy. 

* A Celebration of Life is scheduled on March 18th, 2021 at the Perris Auto Speedway grandstands at 3 pm. Masks and social distancing are required. Repast to follow with limited capacity at the American Legion Post 595 in Perris.

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