Josef Ruben Solares

Josef Ruben Solares, 67, of Woodland Hills CA, passed away on May 24th 2026 in Tarzana, CA.

Funeral Services will be held at 20870 Ventura Blvd, Woodland Hills, CA 91364 at 11:00 AM with Father Joseph Cruz of St Mel’s Catholic Church officiating. Burial to follow at Oakwood Memorial Park and Cemetery, 22601 Lassen St, Chatsworth, CA 91311.

Josef was born in Tiquisate, Escuintla, Guatemala to Jose Ruben Solares and Victoria Amanda Sanchez Santizo on August 13, 1958. While many stories exist from Josef’s childhood and time in Guatemala, as he would enthusiastically recall and speak of in great detail to his family, Josef was four years old when he moved with his paternal Grandmother, “Mamalina” Angelina Solares and Aunt Zoila Quinonez (nee Solares) “Titita” and Uncle Manuel Quinonez “Piriro” to the United States. Josef would often regale his kids with tales of how strong and determined he was, by explaining how he would have to walk uphill, both ways: to and from school, to attend Franklin High School, where he graduated in 1976. Yet, no one has confirmed the hills he spoke of.

At 19 years old Josef became a fire fighter and joined the Los Angeles City Fire Department. During this time Josef married Debra Lynn Bravo in 1983, and went on to build a family of six in Woodland Hills, having two sons and two daughters. After leaving Los Angeles City Fire Department he joined the Burbank City Fire Department as a fire inspector in 1988, and went on to acquire a greater understanding of the laws of California which would ultimately pertain to his future business. After retiring from the fire department, Josef still did not take a break, and focused on his consulting business, State UST Fund Advisory and Services where he worked up until his final hospitalization. Josef began teaching and mentoring his son Giorgio the ins and outs of “the family business” over the last few years. This allowed Josef to shift his focus onto the things he enjoyed more than work. Things like popsicles with his grand kids, watching Football - in person or on TV, attending the Friday night high school football games of his children’s Alma Mater (even long after his children graduated), his telenovelas, Yellowstone (TV show), his movie nights with his kiddos, Neil Diamond Songs, Hallmark movies, his iPad games, and playing with the animals who would come visit (Bob, Charlie, Poppy, Warner). He was a beloved father, adored grandfather and loving family man who did not stop tending to the needs of his family even long after they had grown.

Josef is survived by wife, Debra of Woodland Hills, CA. Josef is survived by his oldest son and daughter-in-law, Geoffrey and Amy Solares, and his grandchildren by them: Jackson, Kylar, Logan and London of Menifee, CA. Josef is survived by his oldest daughter Briahna Solares of Woodland Hills, CA. Josef is survived by his youngest daughter and son-in-law, Krystal and Taylor Hood, and his grandchildren by them Children: Wyatt and Walker of Corona, CA. Josef is survived by youngest son Giorgio Solares of Woodland Hills, CA.