David our beloved brother passed away on November 30, 2006 at home surrounded by his family and friends in San Jose, CA. David is now at peace in heaven after battling a rare form of Cancer for two years called “Peripheral Neuroepithelioma (PNET) Ewing Sarcoma.” David was a devoted, caring and loving son to his surviving mother Lupe Vargas and the late Jesse J. Vargas. David is survived by his sisters Gloria Vargas Quiroz and Carmen Vargas. Brother of Bobby Vargas and Albert Vargas. A loving uncle and mentor to Mike Vargas Quiroz III and to his young nephew Jesse J. Vargas. David was a friend to Steve Guillen, a business associate, a friend and brother-in-law to Mike Robert Quiroz II. He was a loving partner to Aurora Pena.
David graduated from W.C. Overfelt High School, San Jose, CA in 1986. Later he transferred to San Jose State University and earned hi B.S. Degree in Business Administration, Concentration in Corporate Finance in 1990. David was very athletic throughout his life. He climbed Half Dome in Yosemite, he went river rafting, ran and loved sports. David loved the ocean and was a spiritual person. David listened to Jazz music and his favorite was Chris Botti. David boxed in college as a light featherweight and was a fraternity brother in the Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Cal Zeta. Scholarship Chairman. Dave served in the Army Reserve Officer Training Corp. (R.O.T.C.) in Fort Knox, Kentucky. Honor Platoon, Expert M-16 Rifleman. When David was diagnosed with Cancer at the age of 19 it ended hi military career. David didn’t give up the fight as he continued to go through with chemo and radiation therapy until remission. In 1994 in Las Vegas he worked with Bob Miller, the Governor of Nevada, and the Mexican Consulate on offering home buying seminars to potential home purchasers.
David assisted and mentored young Hipanics at the Latino Role Model Conference Program at East Side High School where he also grew up attending school. He encouraged young Latinos about eduation, resonsibilites and setting goals. Dave would also say, “You could achieve your goals by not giving up” and “You hold the key to unlock the door to your future.”
In 2005 at age 36, David was diagnosed again with Peripheral Neuroepithelioma (PNET) Ewing Sarcoma for which there is no cure. Again, he never gave up while coping with Cancer he joined the Los Gatos Run and made it to the finish line with his close friend Rafael Ramirez though he finished last. On 9/22/2006, David was a recipient for the “2006 Portaits of Success” for Hispanic Leadership and Inspirational person for those who are battling Cancer.
David was an Inspirational Cancer Patient leader with a beautiful smile at the Stanford Cancer Center in the Infusion Treatment Area. He gave hope to Cancer patients to never give up. The staff loved him for his courageous heart and positive attitude. David was a mentor to his business associates because he continued to work during his treatments. David was devoted to his family, friends and his career. Dave was a Real Estate/Loan Agent at Real Estate Professors & Loan Professors, Inc. San Jose, CA. Prior to his death, David passed his Real Estate Brokers License on 08/02/06 with the Department of Real Estate Board while coping with his disease and therapy. David never gave up and his strong faith spread hope. Our beloved brother will continue to inspire Cancer patients , his family and friends to live life to the fullest.
Viewing from 5-9PM on 12/08/06 at Oak Hill Funeral Home’s Chapel of the Oaks, 300 Curtner Ave. San Jose, CA.
Funeral services at 10:00AM on 12/09/06 at Oak Hill Funeral Home’s Chapel of the Oaks. Burial on 12/09/06 at 1:00PM at Los Gatos Memorial Park, 2255 Los Gatos-Almaden Rd. San Jose, CA. For those who are traveling, please contact the Dignity Memorial Bereavement Travel Program for arrangememnts. Give name of funeral home, reference 2473, name of deceased and credit card information at 1-800-224-4177.
In Lieu of flowers, please send checks payable to “Stanford University” for “Sarcoma Research” or “Stem-Cell Research”, in memory of David A. Vargas at: Stanford University, Att: Gift Processing, 326 Galvez St. Stanford, CA 94305-6105 (650) 725-4360.
