Juan passed away peacefully at home on March 28, 2019 in Eureka. He battled a long, hard, courageous battle with cancer since diagnosed in 2012, and beat it against all odds.

Juan was born on August 9, 1934 to Hilario and Antonia Rivera. Juan had enormous love and generosity for all his family like never before. He was always willing to give and open his home to all his family. He migrated to the United States when he turned 18. After migrating to the United States, he began his journey at a very young age, providing for his mom and siblings. He was the eldest son of 9 children. He was a hard worker with great ethics. His generosity, and caring soul never ended. He always felt the need to provide and care for his siblings, nieces and nephews throughout his life.

When Juan first migrated and came to United States he worked for California Pacific Railroad. He later made his way up to Northern California, residing in Hoopa, working as a millwright laborer, then to Blue Lake at the mill in Korbel. He continued to push forward, landing the job he wanted at Pacific Lumber Company, where he worked for 37 years until he retired from PALCO. He worked many positions there as a green chain puller, choker setter, and ending as a dry sorter grading the lumber.

Juan married the love of his life, Martha Rivera. He is survived by his devoted wife Martha of 61 years who stayed by his side. Siblings: Brother - Larry (Carolyn) Rivera of Tigard, Oregon. Sister Maria (Frank ) Fregoso Of Maricopa, Arizona, Sister- Sofia (late Antonio) Santoya, Brother Pete (Sherry) Rivera Of Tigard, Oregon, and sister Delia (Carlos) Ramirez Of Dallas, Texas. Juan and Martha had 4 children with the eldest whom he dearly loved leaving him quite too soon with a short courageous battle w/leukemia. He leaves behind his son Luis (Dawn) Rivera of Fremont, Maribel Bahner of Texas, and Linda (Jimmy) Reynolds of Eureka. Grandsons Ricky and Ryan Coons, Luis Rivera, Ruben Rivera, Grandaughters Olivia (Steve) Oneal, Crystal Rivera, Brianna Bahner, Ashley Bahner, Kelsey Silva, great-grandson Jackson O’Neal. He leaves behind numerous nieces,and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, sisters Manuela Blanco, Velia Gomes, Elena Estrada, Brother Teofilo Rivera and his son Ruben Rivera.

The family would like to thank all the doctors at Stanford Cancer Research Center, Cancer Center of St. Joseph Hospital, Dr. Choate, Camille Merrino – FNP for all the compassion and great care who gave him the courage to fight and win his battle with cancer .

Graveside services will be held at ocean view cemetery, on Friday April 5, 2019, 1 p.m. followed by a reception at the residence on 1356 Trails End Rd. Eureka, from 2 to 4 p.m.

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