Juan was born in “the big city of Seguin”, Texas on October 20, 1932. He was the first of 8 children born to Isabel and Amparo Ochoa. Being the eldest, he started working at an early age, foregoing his education. Juan worked in the fields, at the produce market with his father, and as a truck driver before being drafted into the military. He served 2 years in the United States Army, from 1954 to 1956, as a Light Weapons Infantryman. Then, he went on to serve 4 years in the United Stated Air Force, from 1957 to 1961, as a Metal Processing Specialist. During his time of service, he was able to further his education by successfully completing various service training courses. Juan was also the recipient of a Good Conduct Medal in each branch, a USAF Longevity Service Award, and a USAF Outstanding Unit Award. These years in the military gave him the opportunity to be a “world traveler”, as he liked to say. If you spent any time with Juan, you very likely heard stories about his time in France – La Belle Paris; Germany – Oktoberfest in Munich or the Autobahn; Italy – “Parlate Italiano?” or that he hated shoveling snow in Korea. He was quite adept to picking up foreign languages, so he would always throw random phrases into conversations, one of his favorites being, “C’est la vie”.
Juan is preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 54 years, Gregoria; his 2 brothers; and his 2 sisters.
He leaves behind to cherish his memory his 3 children, Sandra E. Molina, Mark Anthony Ochoa, and Jacqueline (Cristobal) Aguirre; his 8 grandchildren; his 12 great-grandchildren; his 4 sisters; and his numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
The family will be receiving friends for a Visitation from 5PM to 9 PM on Tuesday, July 23rd at Roy Akers Funeral Home – 515 N. Main Ave. 78205 – with a Rosary to be recited at 7PM. A Procession will depart from the funeral home at 9AM on Wednesday, July 24th and arrive at St. Ann’s Catholic Church – 210 St. Ann 78201 – for a Funeral Mass at 9:30AM. Burial will follow at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery – 1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd. 78209 – at 11AM at Shelter #1, where Military Honors will be rendered to Mr. Ochoa for his services in the Unites States military.
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