Juan Carlos Atilano

Juan Carlos Atilano Arellano, 57, passed away peacefully at his home in Morris, Alabama, on August 11, 2026, at 5:31 PM, surrounded by the people he loved most—his wife and three children, who remained by his side, holding him close and loving him until his last moments.

Carlos was born on July 4, 1969, in Guadalajara, Mexico, to Celia Arellano de Atilano and Juan Antonio Atilano Reyes.

Carlos was a devoted husband, father, son, brother, and friend whose greatest joy was simply being surrounded by the people he loved. He shared 32 beautiful years of marriage with his wife, Shawna Atilano, and was the proud father of Carlos Atilano, Alicia Atilano, and Eric Atilano.

Carlos worked as a Regional Director for the family-owned Car Wash business, Mach-1 Express Wash, where he had the privilege of working alongside his wife and two sons. He took immense pride in his family and in building something together that would carry their family forward. For Carlos, family was never just something he was a part of—it was the heart of everything he did.

Those who knew Carlos will remember his radiant positivity, his enormous heart, and his remarkable ability to fill any room he entered with laughter. He had a rare and beautiful outlook on life, always encouraging those around him to appreciate the present moment, find the good, and keep moving forward. One of the sayings Carlos was known for was, “Life is good, life goes on.” Those words captured so much of who he was: optimistic, resilient, loving, and deeply grateful for the gift of life.

Carlos had a lifelong passion for soccer. His knowledge of the game was extraordinary. At a moment’s notice, he could recall the most specific and remarkable details—individual players, game-winning moments, statistics, championships, and unforgettable highlights. Soccer was more than a sport to Carlos; it was a part of his story. He played from a young age through college where he was able to travel around Mexico and accomplish a dream of playing at the Maracanã Stadium in Brazil.

Carlos also had a deep appreciation for nature, animals and the beauty of the world around him. He loved the beach, being outdoors, and the simple moments that allowed him to feel connected to life.

On August 2, 2026, Carlos was diagnosed with stage 4 cholangiocarcinoma, a rare cancer of the bile ducts that had spread to his liver, lungs, and lymph nodes. Just nine days later, he passed away.
Even in the face of an unimaginable diagnosis, Carlos remained true to faith. After learning of his illness, he looked at his wife, Shawna, and said, “Everything happens for a reason. Don’t worry.”
Those words reflected the strength and peace he carried within him. Even in the face of uncertainty, Carlos continued to exude strength, resilience, hope, and an unwavering trust in life.


His final moments were a reflection of the love that surrounded him throughout his life with his family there beside him, holding space for him, holding him close, and loving him until the very end. He did not leave this world alone. He was surrounded by the love of his family.

Carlos was cremated, and no traditional funeral services will be held. His family will honor his life with a Celebration of Life in October 2026, where family and friends will gather to remember him, share stories, laugh, shed tears, and celebrate the beautiful life of a man who brought so much love and joy into the world.

Though his absence leaves an ache that words cannot fully express, his spirit remains—in every laugh, every story, every soccer game, every sunset, every moment shared with family, and in the hearts of those who will carry his memory forward. Perhaps the greatest way to honor him is to continue living with that same spirit—to love deeply, laugh often, cherish the present, and keep moving forward.

As Carlos would say,
“Life is good. Life goes on.”