Ideal Sales president loses battle with cancer
Ideal Sales president loses battle with cancer
James L. LaBarba, president and co-founder of Dallas-based produce brokerage firm Ideal Sales Inc., died Feb. 22 at his home in Dallas after a hard-fought battle with cancer. He was 66.
The first of six children, Mr. LaBarba was born Sept. 30, 1941 in Dallas to Zula C. and Carlo P. LaBarba. He graduated from Jesuit College Preparatory School in 1959 and from Southern Methodist University in 1966. Throughout his early childhood and college years, Mr. LaBarba worked for the family produce business, American Produce, which was founded by his grandfather in 1917.
Mr. LaBarba was one of the original founders of Ideal Sales Inc. in 1966. His brother Sherman LaBarba joined the firm in 1975 and his son Jason came on board in 1993. The company expanded in 1999 to include a grower-shipper division in Monte Vista, CO, called Harvest Select.
The Ideal Sales web site described Mr. LaBarba as "an integral part of the growth and development of potatoes and onions in Dallas, as well as in the state of Texas and beyond."
Mr. LaBarba, or "Big Blue" as he was affectionately known, was an avid golfer and longtime member of the Lakewood Country Club in Dallas. His greatest interests in life were his family, friends and produce, but he also had great passion for the game of golf. Two of his proudest days were making two holes-in-one at Lakewood.
Mr. LaBarba is survived by his wife of 44 years, Carmen E. LaBarba; daughter Michelle K. Cook and her husband, Kevin; son Jason C. LaBarba and his wife, Liane; and grandchildren James S. Cook, Kevin Joseph Cook, Lauren E. LaBarba and Sarah H. LaBarba. He is also survived by siblings Sherman C. LaBarba and his wife, Carla; Carla L. Bass and her husband, Paul; Lucian M. LaBarba and his wife, Leslie; Carl M. LaBarba and his wife, Denise; Anita L. Clark and her husband, William; numerous aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews.
A mass of Christian burial was celebrated Feb. 26 at St. Rita Catholic Church in Dallas followed by entombment at Hillcrest Mausoleum in Dallas.
Memorial donations can be made to the James L. LaBarba Cancer Foundation, care of Colonial Bank, 8214 Westchester Drive, Suite 400, Dallas, TX 75225, or the Discalced Carmelite Nuns, 600 Flowers St., Dallas, TX 75211.
The first of six children, Mr. LaBarba was born Sept. 30, 1941 in Dallas to Zula C. and Carlo P. LaBarba. He graduated from Jesuit College Preparatory School in 1959 and from Southern Methodist University in 1966. Throughout his early childhood and college years, Mr. LaBarba worked for the family produce business, American Produce, which was founded by his grandfather in 1917.
Mr. LaBarba was one of the original founders of Ideal Sales Inc. in 1966. His brother Sherman LaBarba joined the firm in 1975 and his son Jason came on board in 1993. The company expanded in 1999 to include a grower-shipper division in Monte Vista, CO, called Harvest Select.
The Ideal Sales web site described Mr. LaBarba as "an integral part of the growth and development of potatoes and onions in Dallas, as well as in the state of Texas and beyond."
Mr. LaBarba, or "Big Blue" as he was affectionately known, was an avid golfer and longtime member of the Lakewood Country Club in Dallas. His greatest interests in life were his family, friends and produce, but he also had great passion for the game of golf. Two of his proudest days were making two holes-in-one at Lakewood.
Mr. LaBarba is survived by his wife of 44 years, Carmen E. LaBarba; daughter Michelle K. Cook and her husband, Kevin; son Jason C. LaBarba and his wife, Liane; and grandchildren James S. Cook, Kevin Joseph Cook, Lauren E. LaBarba and Sarah H. LaBarba. He is also survived by siblings Sherman C. LaBarba and his wife, Carla; Carla L. Bass and her husband, Paul; Lucian M. LaBarba and his wife, Leslie; Carl M. LaBarba and his wife, Denise; Anita L. Clark and her husband, William; numerous aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews.
A mass of Christian burial was celebrated Feb. 26 at St. Rita Catholic Church in Dallas followed by entombment at Hillcrest Mausoleum in Dallas.
Memorial donations can be made to the James L. LaBarba Cancer Foundation, care of Colonial Bank, 8214 Westchester Drive, Suite 400, Dallas, TX 75225, or the Discalced Carmelite Nuns, 600 Flowers St., Dallas, TX 75211.
