OROZCO, Juan Munoz

Parker Pioneer, Parker, Arizona - Published Wednesday, April 28, 2010 - Surrounded by his loving family, Juan Munoz Orozco peacefully passed away in the early afternoon of April 17, 2010. Juan had been in the hospital for several months with deteriorating health. Born Oct. 8, 1950, in Capilla de Guadalupe, Jalisco, Mexico, Juan was one of five children born to J. Guadalupe Orozco and Maria de los Angeles (Angela) Munoz, both of whom preceded him in death. Juan, like many immigrants, had hopes and dreams for a better life, which brought him to the United States in the mid 1970's. Juan had a willingness to work hard and do what was necessary to be successful. Juan studied long and hard to take his test to become a naturalized U.S. citizen. On Sept. 10, 1999, in his custom ordered tuxedo from Norris Department Store, and in the presence of his friends, Dan Beaver, Randy Hoeft, Jeannine Grenwalt, and Paula Foster, Juan raised his right hand and took his oath of allegiance to the United States of America. It was a very proud moment for Juan and for those in attendance. It was described as a very moving and patriotic experience to watch. Juan first worked as a farm laborer in the fields. For a time after that, he did landscaping and yard maintenance, before he eventually took a job at Parker Motor Company. This evolved into Juan becoming PMC's un-official Customer Care & Courtesy Specialist. Juan's favorite activities were hunting and desert off-road racing. He couldn't seem to get enough of either. Juan loved to be in the thick of everything. If Juan and his friends Dan Beaver, Jim Barnes, and John Drum were leaving town at 5:30 a.m., then you could bet Juan was ready an hour earlier. His excitement was like a guy's first new car. He was as giddy as a kid. Juan loved to cook and fancied himself as "No. 1" when it came to his homemade salsa being the best. In truth, this was borne out by his successes in a salsa competition where he took home several first place awards for his tasty and fiery hot recipes. Friends were always telling Juan he needed to market his salsa as "Juan's Own" by comparison to "Newman's Own." With little luck, Juan did make several attempts to mentor different friends in the art of salsa making. For as much as Juan enjoyed spending time with his friends, Juan also seemed to need his solitude, which was usually on Sunday morning. Sometimes he would drive out in the desert where he had his favorite places to go find old bottles he collected or smooth river stones for painting his "Juan Rocks." His rocks can be found sprinkled around town at the homes of his friends, in his favorite restaurants or at the teller windows in banks he frequented. Juan was also quite the shopper. He knew where all the "specials" were, whether they were in Parker or Lake Havasu City, and whether they were at a market, building supply store or a swap meet. He couldn't pass up a good deal. Juan may have been small in stature, but he had a big heart to those who knew him. His kindness might have been expressed by giving a ride to someone who was without transportation; but most certainly Juan was always willing to share his food with those around him. If he went to the store and bought a candy bar or pork rinds or his favorite fruits, both mangos and papayas, Juan always would bring back enough to share. From the Parker Valley to Town, from Big River to Upriver, Juan seemed to know everyone. To those who didn't know him, he was "the little guy" and you better not mistake it or you would catch his wrath. To his friends, Juan allowed them to call him "Juanito" or "Johnny" which was their term of endearment to him. Juan was stubbornly independent and did things "Juan's Way." He learned survivor skills from a young age when many times, living conditions were rough for him, yet through it all, he never seemed to lose his sense of humor. In fact, his laughter could become contagious to those around him. It was like he was suppressing his laughter when he really wanted to bust it out. There were times however, when he would just laugh until everyone was laughing, like during the Five O'clock Club when everyone was sitting around the table and Juan pulled out his electronic elk caller, which made the sounds of both bull and cow elk during mating season. This particular event provided a couple of hours of fun and laughter. Entertainment was easy with Juan. On one particular hunt the guys were sitting around talking about the constellations in the night sky, and as they started discussing the Milky Way. The conversation was redirected when Juan started teaching them how to say the names of candy bars in Spanish. Back at home Juan also took the opportunity to teach his friends Spanish, by writing a "Word of the Day" on the Race Shop blackboard. Seemingly, some of the easiest words for them to learn were the words best not said in public. Juan was not one to talk about his religion, but he was quick to clarify that his beliefs were those of his Catholic upbringing. There was never a doubt about his faith in God. Juan lived his faith through his actions of kindness. Juan was preceded in death by his brother Antonio Orozco on January 2, 2004. Juan never married and had no children. He is survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Joaquin and Yolanda; and sisters, Elodia and Carmen; many nieces, nephews, and cousins along with many relatives who still live in Mexico. A viewing was held on Friday evening, April 23, followed by Mass which was held on Saturday, April 24 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Parker. Concluding the service, a buffet luncheon was held at the Parker Senior Center. In accordance with Juan's wishes he was cremated. Arrangements were handled by the Parker Funeral Home with pastoral support from Father Manuel Fragoso of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Amigo, Vaya con Dios, te queremos! (Friend, Go with God, we love you!)