In email messages discussing Juan's death with his sister Donna recently, she told me that there was a lot about his life that people outside their family will never know. So here’s the reason I’ve never forgotten him.

Most of you either didn’t know, or have undoubtedly forgotten, that at one time I had a speech problem that made me sound like I was drunk when I talked, so I didn’t talk much.  On a couple occasions at Pearson Jr. High, when some kids were making fun of the way I talked, Juan heard what they were doing and made them stop. I will forever be grateful to him for that.