Juan N. Melendez

Juan was born on January 5, 1928, in San Isidro de Morillos, Durango, Mexico, to Abraham and Ramona Melendez. He was raised in La Bajada. He came to the United States at the age of 17 to financially support his mother and his 11 siblings after the death of their father.

Juan married Luz Lucero in Mexico in 1955, and their primer regalito, Nellis was born. He enrolled in the Bracero Program as a ranch hand in Dell City, Texas, and after completing his 3 year commitment, his employer sponsored him for a Green Card. During that time, his son Abraham was born followed by Vicente, Yolanda, Francisca, and Susie, all born in El Paso, Texas.

Juan worked primarily in the fields of Texas, New Mexico, and California, at the railroad yard in Stockton, and later at Standard Oil in El Paso, in the 1950s and ‘60s​. In 1965, invited by his cousin Audon Nevarez, Juan moved to Longmont, Colorado. He worked the night shift at the Longmont Turkey Plant for 25 years and worked his way up to a night supervisor position​. He often said he could count on one hand the number of days he missed work. Juan and Luz worked the sugar beet fields on weekends to save for their home where he eventually passed away in his original bedroom.

Juan and Luz were married 35 years until her death in 1990.​ Upon his wife’s passing Juan continued his own role and then also assumed his wife’s role. Within days he was washing dishes early in the morning and taking his grandchildren to and from school. He continued to pray the rosary, and above all keeping his family united.

Juan was devoted to his faith. He once commented to Abraham during a phone call “no one was home” to which Abe said, “so you are alone?” He responded, “I am never alone, God is always with me”.

Juan was a talented horse tamer in his days, but his legacy will be his stories, his consejos (advice), his desire was to teach his grandchildren to be honorable, respectful, and people of integrity.

Juan is survived by his brother, Modesto. His children Nellis Chavez (Lupe Chavez), Abraham Melendez (Carol Grasse), Vince Melendez (Roxy Romero), Yolanda Melendez, Francis Melendez-Chavez (Luis Chavez), Susie Gonzalez (Freddy Gonzalez) and 18 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren. Juan was preceded in death by his wife Luz Lucero Melendez, parents, Abraham Melendez and Ramona Nevarez Melendez and his siblings Zenaida Melendez Quinonez, Lalo Melendez, Maria Melendez Nevarez, Adela Melendez Bueno, Ignacia Melendez Miranda, Felipa Melendez Hernandez, Baldomero Melendez, Reyes Melendez Saenz, Andres Melendez, and Elena Melendez Pena.

We are grateful to God for the 97 years that he was with us. Our hearts are broken that he is no longer physically with us but his laughter and jokes will always stay in our hearts. We will also miss adoring his hand as a sign of respect and receiving the Bendicion (blessing) or to dance with him his favorite song El Novillo Despuntado. We are at peace knowing that he is now reunited with his family in the presence of God.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.howemortuary.com for the Melendez family.