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Portrait of Juan Antonio Muñoz
Always in our hearts

Juan Antonio Muñoz

November 11, 1952 – February 14, 2021
Lived 68 years
Garden of Memories · Salinas, California
Life story

Juan Antonio Munoz

Salinas - Juan Antonio Munoz peacefully passed away on February 14th, 2021 with his family by his side. He is survived by his wife Elena Munoz, sons Juan and Manuel Munoz, daughters Adriana Bueno, Erlinda Munoz, Anita Pinon, Lorrena Nelson, Mary Munoz, and eighteen grandchildren. He was husband, father, brother, friend, and coach to many. He was born in Zacatecas, MX on November 11th, 1952, raised in Guadalajara, and arrived in the USA in the early 70s. He married Elena Dominguez in 1975 and began working at the Garden Of Memories Memorial Park in June of 1977

He was a proud man and worked extremely hard to provide for his family. His work ethic was the foundation to his success, and it was evident in how far he worked his way up. He became well known and beloved in the community of Salinas as he comforted many families with his kind words, wisdom, and guidance.

In his spare time, he coached softball for his daughters, and became a staple to the Salinas softball community. Many to this day remember his lessons on and off the softball diamond. In addition to coaching, he was an avid San Francisco Giants fan and was proud to witness three Giants titles where most can go a lifetime without witnessing a single one. Exercise was always on the calendar. He loved going for a steep hike or a rigorous jog with anyone who was ready to go at that very moment. As smart as he was on the softball field, he was just as handy with a screwdriver. Part pride, part hard work ethic, there wasn't a thing around the house he couldn't fix and he was always up for the challenge. He loved music and loved to play it loud while cleaning or exercising and attended concerts on multiple occasions.

He had many hobbies, but the thing he excelled the most at was loving his family. He frequently returned to Mexico to visit his late mother Anita Munoz and 9 siblings who all looked up to him. His family had the privilege of sharing his love and he returned that love with pride and warmth. "Grandpa Noodles" became his nickname to the grandchildren, and he graciously accepted it. He liked taking the kids to the park, going on long walks, beach days, barbequing on a Sunday evening, attending sporting events with his sons, coaching his grandchildren, helping to fix a broken sink, or simply having a deep and lengthy wisdom filled conversation at the dinner table all while having a gleam in his eye and giving you his all.

Juan will be remembered for his big heart, wisdom, and willingness to help anyone who needed help or advice. He'll be remembered as someone who always provided empathy and care when you needed it, even if he didn't know you. And most importantly, he will always be remembered for his love, traditions, and forever lasting legacy of the family he leaves behind.

Funeral services have been scheduled for Wednesday, February 24, 2021 at Madonna Del Sasso Church, 320 East Laurel Drive, Salinas, Ca. 93906 10am with limited capacity and will be laid to rest at Garden Of Memories Memorial Park immediately after where he helped so many souls before him.

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The world Juan knew

Family milestones in gold, history for context

1952
Born November 11
1958
Juan was 6 when the Hula Hoop craze swept the country
1969
Juan was 17 when the Woodstock music festival opened
1971
Juan was 19 when Walt Disney World opened in Florida
1989
Juan was 37 when "The Simpsons" debuted as a series
1997
Juan was 45 when "Titanic" opened in theaters
2005
Juan was 53 when the first video was posted to YouTube
2010
Juan was 58 when Apple's iPad went on sale
2020
Juan was 68 when SpaceX launched astronauts into orbit for the first time
2021
Passed away February 14, age 68
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Lorrena Nelson 148w

Juan A Muñoz Drive

This street was dedicated to Juan for all his years of service at Garden of Memories

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