Juan, Juan

Juan Juan - age: 81
(September 01, 1934 to February 26, 2016 )
Resident of Ukiah, California

Obituary:
Juan Juan was a joyful man who lived life with a twinkle in his eye and his arms open wide. He left this world suddenly the night of February 26, 2016, at the age of 81.

Juan was born on September 1, 1934, in Chicago, Illinois. Juan’s birth name was John William “Jack” Lauts, Jr., and he was the oldest of three children.

Juan grew up in the Chicago area until the age of 10, when his family moved to Beverly Hills, California. He graduated from Beverly Hills High School in 1952 and then attended University of Southern California. His real education, however, came from the school of life and through the countless books, from the ridiculous to the sublime, which he read with gusto. He was a human dictionary.

Juan was a hippie before the world knew what a hippie was, and he came to it organically. He was entirely without airs and he lived wholeheartedly. Sometime in the early 1960s , he changed his birth name and became Juan. Juan met Juana (whose first name was Lily at the time) at an All Souls Day party in Carmel Valley in 1969. Juana instantly knew he was the love of her life, and they were together from that first day till his last.

Hand in hand, Juan and Juana set out on an adventurous and vagabond life together, including a few months stay in Mexico for the birth of their first child (Paco). The following year, 1973, they arrived in Mendocino County and set down roots in beautiful Potter Valley, where they raised their three children. While they embraced mainstream life, Juan maintained his curiosity for the world and those around him.

Juan was a jack of many trades. He worked in advertising, auto repair, as a ranch hand, as an engineering technician, at the Potter Valley mill and most importantly at home. The home he built along the Eel River, with the kids underfoot, was where he plied his truest trade as a father and husband. This was his favorite place in the world, with his wife he truly cherished and his children he wholly loved. Over their many decades together, one of Juan's greatest joys was his deep love for his wife.

Juan was bright, eccentric, fascinating, human and humble-a truly one of a kind soul whose essence is, in the end, indescribable.
His beloved wife, children and grandchildren found in him a haven of hope, humor and kindness, always quick to serve up encouragement and nourishment.

His cup was always more than full, brimming with optimism and possibility. He shared this spirit with the community, spending every Friday for the past nineteen years cooking food for the hungry at Plowshares and more recently delivering food to the elderly on Wednesdays. Food meant love to Juan and he served it in abundance. Whoever you were, and from wherever you came, he made room for you in his home and his heart.

Of the countless gifts he leaves behind, the ones of goodness, strength and love permeate and fill us with incredible gratitude. He had an ability to live in and embrace the moments of life and to appreciate everything, come what may.

Juan is survived by his wife Juana, children Paco Aubrejuan (Alison), Zoey Fernandez (Sam), and Leah Brown (Nate), sisters Marilyn Symons (Edgar) and Yana Shayne, and grandchildren Dylan, Emilia, Diego, Shanti, Silas and Nelson.

The family wishes to extend its gratitude for the outpouring of love and kindness the community has showered upon them. They are also deeply grateful to the first responders and medical teams who gave such expert and tender care to Juan and Juana.

We will announce the date of a memorial service for Juan in the months ahead. We extend our warmest welcome to any and all who wish to attend. If you are so moved, donations to Plowshares Peace and Justice Center would be appreciated.