Juan Morales Rodriguez

Juan Jose Morales Rodriguez was born to Gustavo and Porfiria Rodriguez on November 22, 1926, in Fresnillo, Zacatecas. As the eighth of nine children, his early life was marked by challenge. His father died when Juan was a very young child. Not long after that, at only five years of age, Juan fell seriously ill—to the point of actually being pronounced dead. Shortly before his body was to be taken away, Juan miraculously revived. No one could have imagined he would go on to live 85 years after such a threat to his life.

As a child growing up in Fresnillo, Juan was friends with a neighbor girl—Rosario Castaneda--just one year younger than he. That pretty little girl became a beautiful young woman living in Los Angeles with her brother. Juan had also moved to Los Angeles and reconnected with his childhood friend there. Juan asked Rosario—Chayo as she was called— to be his wife. They married July 1, 1950. Chayo preceded him in death in 2000.

Juan was also preceded in death by all his brothers and sisters. He passed away on August 28, 2017, and leaves six children—Marian Guzy, Gustavo Rodriguez, Juan Rodriguez, Rosario “Rosy” Streed, Gabriel Rodriguez and Juanita Solano—as well as 14 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Juan was a member of the Greatest Generation. He was born in the Roaring 20s, survived the Depression and lived through World War II. Through all the circumstances that came against him, Juan developed the will and the skills to not only survive, but flourish. He ultimately owned the two restaurants where he started as a dishwasher. Even through his latest years, Juan was always known as the life of the party. Everyone knew him to be a handsome man with perfect posture and a charismatic smile, and he was always the best-dressed 90-year-old around.

Even more endearing than his looks and great sense of humor were the fundamentals that governed his life. Juan loved and protected his family with a passion. He was generous and quick to help both family and friends with money, a place to stay or any other kind of help he could give. Juan has been an integral part of the Monte Carmelo parish for years, leading Movimiento Familiar groups, supporting the church as a volunteer and encouraging others in their faith.

It pains us to give you up, Tito, even though we’ve been blessed to have you so long. We love you. You will be greatly missed.