King Corona Cigars Bar And Cafe

Barco, Donald, 68, of Tampa, passed away peacefully at his home March 25, 2019. He was preceded in death by his father Horace; mother Eva; brother Earl; and son Jerry. He is survived by his wife Brenda; daughter Samantha; brother Irvin; father-in-law Jerry Garcia; brother- and sister-in-law Richard and Sandra Midulla; nieces Andria and Tracy Midulla; and grand-niece Marley.

Don was born in Ruskin on the 3 rd of September 1950. He met his one and only true love, his soulmate and life partner Brenda Garcia in February 1970. They married in November 1971. Don had a passion for family, baseball, music, cigars, books and friends, which he shared through his kind presence, loving spirit, and
infectious laughter.

Together, Don and Brenda founded King Corona Cigars Café & Bar, an Ybor City icon, in February 1998. In King Corona, Don and Brenda created a retail cigar store and café that has evolved into a social institution reflecting their love, kindness and generosity, where both visitors and locals meet.

Beginning in 1995, Don was a critical supporter and donor to the early formation of the Historic Ybor Neighborhood Civic Association. As a business leader, he was an active supporter of historic preservation, retail, residential and balanced mixed-use development.

From early 1998 until mid-2017, Don served on the Board, and as an active member of several critical committees, of the Ybor City Development Corporation. He was the go-to resource for all retail issues in Ybor. He had his finger on the pulse of the retail business life of Ybor City.

Don was a founding member and a founding Board member of the Ybor Merchants Association in 2012. He served as YMA President in 2013 and continued to be an active member until mid-2017.

In recognition of his community service and leadership, Don received the Vicente-Martinez Ybor Award from the Ybor City Museum Society, June 22, 2014. Don’s contributions to Ybor City and the Tampa community will be felt for many years to come. He will be missed greatly and his spirit will be felt eternally.

In his wake, Don left nothing but goodness and love. His final words to me were: “Take care of Brenda and tell everyone we know that I love them and that I feel their love.”

A celebration of Don’s life will be held at King Corona Cigars on Monday, April 8, 2019, at 6:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Don’s memory may be sent to St. Jude’s Hospital or the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay.