Juan V. Huerta, 88 of Greenfield, Calif. passed away peacefully Monday, December 14, 2015 in the arms of his granddaughter.
Juan was born May 6, 1927 in Ozulama, Vera Cruz, Mexico. While growing up he helped his father bake in the family bakery. He attended grade school and high school in his home town of La Laja.
In 1944, at the young age of 17 he and 5 of his friends left their homes in Mexico. They came to the United States in search of a better life. They arrived in Houston, Texas where he worked for two years with Manchester Shipyards before going on to Billings, Montana where he worked in the corn and sugar beet fields. In November of 1946 his journey eventually led them out west to San Francisco, California. His search for employment landed him to the Central Valley community of Hanford where he worked in the cotton fields and shortly afterwards found his way to King City, California. It was here in 1947 where he met Angelita Perez. She was working behind the counter at a local ice cream parlor. He found his Sweetheart. They were married December 5, 1947 and have enjoyed 68 years of marriage.
Juan worked for the Southern Pacific Railroad Station in King City until 1956. From 1956 to 1969 he was a field foreman with the J.J. Crosetti, Tom Connell, Mike Reed, Hoyt Johnson and Bob Wood farms. He also managed the labor camp where he and Angie lived on the corner of 8th and Elm in Greenfield. He and Angie settled in Greenfield and have lived on 5th street ever since.
Juan was a man with a lot of will and heart. He was a very simple and distinguished man with a care for his community and loving heart for his family. He was a faithful and quiet man/father. His family came first, God and then his community. He took pride in all of these. Juan's belief in his faith and God was strong. He knew his maker's words were true. He was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church; Co-founder of the Guadalupana Society and member since 1962. He had an unconditional love for his family. His words and actions were genuine and purposeful. His presence always projected peace, especially in the end, which was telling of the man that he was.
He believed that his service here on earth was to help the less fortunate and to never turn away from them or close the door to them. He was always striving to educate himself. He was a licensed Notary. He had a very good understanding of tax laws. He enjoyed helping those who couldn't understand the complexity of taxes and strived to make himself available to assist anyone who asked. He was often called upon to help family, friends and others to translate important documents. Juan enjoyed gardening, working with his fruit trees, barbequing and being with family and visits from friends. He also enjoyed going to the casinos playing cards and slots. Juan also had a love for the ocean. He was a lifelong San Francisco Giants and 49er fan. He enjoyed taking long walks. He would walk to the post office to collect his mail on a daily basis, just for exercise.
His love for his community was second to none. Juan Huerta was a true Community Activist. He was a pillar of his community. While Juan was born in Mexico, he obtained his citizenship in 1970. Even though he became a United States Citizen, he always instilled in his children to never forget who you are and where you came from. He was proud to be and say he was an American. He wasn't afraid to show it. He flew the American Flag proudly and regularly on all National Holidays.
Juan started in the early 1960's standing up for those who couldn't. He was a pioneer and leader. He was instrumental and a driving force for the betterment of farmworkers rights and living conditions in the Salinas Valley.
With the Farmers Home Administration, he helped to establish the first residential lots for farmworker families in Greenfield in 1969. He also worked with Lyndon Johnson's "War of Poverty" for the Monterey County area. He worked both locally and in the State Capitol to bring the concept of "Self-Help" housing to Monterey County. He officially joined the United Farm Worker's organizing committee on August 8, 1970 and was the director of the King City office from 1974 to 1978 and the Salinas office from 1970 to 1973 and again from 1978 to 1986. During these years he worked on negotiations, contract enforcement and social services. Juan retired in 1986, but he continued his Community Activist role. He helped to start the La Buena Esperanza Housing for farmworkers throughout the Salinas Valley. He was an advocate and organizer for the Greenfield Low Income Housing Project. Juan was a Board Member for Clinica de Salud, in the Salinas Valley where he was successful in bringing a farmworker clinic to the City of Greenfield.
Housing and healthcare for farm workers and their families in the Southern Monterey County exists, in part, because he was not willing to give up. Juan Huerta's efforts contributed to and gave farm workers and their families a voice and power. He was a league organizer of the Bracero Baseball Program in the 1960's.
In 2007 Juan celebrated his 80th birthday. He received recognitions from the Monterey County Board of Supervisors, City of Greenfield and Police Department, Congressman, Sam Farr and the California Legislature. It was then that he was recognized for his lifelong contributions.
Juan is survived by his wife, Angie Huerta of Whittier; 5 children, Yrma (Ramon) Rendon of Greenfield, Frank (Liz) Huerta of San Luis Obispo, Henry (Martha) Huerta of Whittier, Angela (Miguel) Rendon of Greenfield and John (Michele) Huerta, Jr. of Greenfield; 14 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.
Published in Whittier Daily News on Dec. 23, 2015