Lou Juarez, US Army Veteran & retired Fresno State Athletic Equipment Coordinator, was a resident of Reedley, CA, passed on June 28, 2020 at the age of 80 at his home.
Lou Juarez, US Army Veteran & retired Fresno State Athletic Equipment Coordinator, was a resident of Reedley, CA, passed on June 28, 2020 at the age of 80 at his home.
Lou is survived by his wife of 40 years, Suzanne Juarez; his children, Duke Juarez (son) and Lynn Maher (Mission Viejo, CA), Melody (daughter) and Andy Hernandez (Norco, CA), Adam Juarez (son) and Katherine Goyette (Sanger, CA); his grandchildren, Sarah Duarte (New Braunfels, TX), Emily Valdez (New Braunfels, TX), AJ Hernandez (Norco, CA), Ashleigh Juarez (Sanger, CA), Arielle Juarez (Sanger, CA), Andrina Juarez (Sanger, CA) and Dillon Goyette (Sanger, CA); his sister, Mary Woods (Westminster, CA); his goddaughters, Kathleen Wilson (Livermore, CA), Aimee Nieblas (Phoenix, AZ) and Melissa Stiles Moralez (Chino Hills, CA); and his service dog KC.
Lou is survived by his wife of 40 years, Suzanne Juarez; his children, Duke Juarez (son) and Lynn Maher (Mission Viejo, CA), Melody (daughter) and Andy Hernandez (Norco, CA), Adam Juarez (son) and Katherine Goyette (Sanger, CA); his grandchildren, Sarah Duarte (New Braunfels, TX), Emily Valdez (New Braunfels, TX), AJ Hernandez (Norco, CA), Ashleigh Juarez (Sanger, CA), Arielle Juarez (Sanger, CA), Andrina Juarez (Sanger, CA) and Dillon Goyette (Sanger, CA); his sister, Mary Woods (Westminster, CA); his goddaughters, Kathleen Wilson (Livermore, CA), Aimee Nieblas (Phoenix, AZ) and Melissa Stiles Moralez (Chino Hills, CA); and his service dog KC.
Lou was born in San Antonio, TX on December 1, 1939 to Jose and Refugio Juarez. He graduated from Gardena (CA) High School in 1957 and attended classes at Los Angeles Harbor College, El Camino College, Long Beach State and USC. Lou worked for Tully’s Meat Company (Gardena, CA), for Denny’s Corporation, as owner/operator of Winchell’s Donuts franchises (South Bay, CA), manager of Jack In the Box (San Juan Capistrano, CA), assistant athletic director and martial arts instructor for South Coast Boy’s Club of America (San Clemente, CA), security officer for Dana Hills High School (Dana Point, CA), groundskeeper for Capistrano Unified School District (San Juan Capistrano, CA), athletic equipment manager for Capistrano Valley High School and Saddleback College (Mission Viejo, CA), head athletic equipment coordinator for Fresno State University (Fresno, CA).
Lou was born in San Antonio, TX on December 1, 1939 to Jose and Refugio Juarez. He graduated from Gardena (CA) High School in 1957 and attended classes at Los Angeles Harbor College, El Camino College, Long Beach State and USC. Lou worked for Tully’s Meat Company (Gardena, CA), for Denny’s Corporation, as owner/operator of Winchell’s Donuts franchises (South Bay, CA), manager of Jack In the Box (San Juan Capistrano, CA), assistant athletic director and martial arts instructor for South Coast Boy’s Club of America (San Clemente, CA), security officer for Dana Hills High School (Dana Point, CA), groundskeeper for Capistrano Unified School District (San Juan Capistrano, CA), athletic equipment manager for Capistrano Valley High School and Saddleback College (Mission Viejo, CA), head athletic equipment coordinator for Fresno State University (Fresno, CA).
Lou was a man of many experiences, often on the cutting edge of many athletic, health and fitness trends. His desire to serve his country led him to follow his older brother Joe into the military. He was a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne based at Fort Bragg, NC. During a tour in Korea, he developed an affinity for martial arts. He became a black belt in Tae Kwon Do. Through martial arts, he became friends with Chuck Norris, and through this friendship, he met and trained competitive kickboxer Howard Jackson. His friendship with Chuck and Howard led Lou to a bit part in the cult classic Dolemite. Martial Arts became a family affair as he trained his son Duke, daughter Melody and wife Suzanne.
Lou was a man of many experiences, often on the cutting edge of many athletic, health and fitness trends. His desire to serve his country led him to follow his older brother Joe into the military. He was a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne based at Fort Bragg, NC. During a tour in Korea, he developed an affinity for martial arts. He became a black belt in Tae Kwon Do. Through martial arts, he became friends with Chuck Norris, and through this friendship, he met and trained competitive kickboxer Howard Jackson. His friendship with Chuck and Howard led Lou to a bit part in the cult classic Dolemite. Martial Arts became a family affair as he trained his son Duke, daughter Melody and wife Suzanne.
This athletic spirit continued throughout his life as he volunteered as a coach and mentor. Often, after working long hours, he trained numerous young people in martial arts, soccer, football and more. His work ethic and dedication to sports and fitness led to him being hired as the head athletic equipment coordinator at Fresno State University. Hired personally by legendary football coach Jim Sweeney, Lou spent three decades at Fresno State. During those years, he mentored, teased and befriended numerous athletes who went on to careers in the NFL, NBA, MLB, MLS and Olympic Games. These athletes included NFL players such as Stephen Baker, Trent Dilfer, Marquez Pope, Lorenzo Neal, Ron Cox, Michael Stewart; NBA players Chris Herren, Rafer Alston, Courtney Alexander and Anthony Pelle; MLB players Bobby Jones, Brant Brown and Tom Goodwin; Olympic Silver Medalist wrestler Stephen Abas.
This athletic spirit continued throughout his life as he volunteered as a coach and mentor. Often, after working long hours, he trained numerous young people in martial arts, soccer, football and more. His work ethic and dedication to sports and fitness led to him being hired as the head athletic equipment coordinator at Fresno State University. Hired personally by legendary football coach Jim Sweeney, Lou spent three decades at Fresno State. During those years, he mentored, teased and befriended numerous athletes who went on to careers in the NFL, NBA, MLB, MLS and Olympic Games. These athletes included NFL players such as Stephen Baker, Trent Dilfer, Marquez Pope, Lorenzo Neal, Ron Cox, Michael Stewart; NBA players Chris Herren, Rafer Alston, Courtney Alexander and Anthony Pelle; MLB players Bobby Jones, Brant Brown and Tom Goodwin; Olympic Silver Medalist wrestler Stephen Abas.
During his years at Fresno State, at his ranch in Clovis, CA, Lou loved tending his almond orchard, taking care of his yard, and raising dogs, cats, pony and goat.
During his years at Fresno State, at his ranch in Clovis, CA, Lou loved tending his almond orchard, taking care of his yard, and raising dogs, cats, pony and goat.
Lou retired in 2004. In retirement, he rekindled his love for motorcycles, attending classic car shows, and supporting US military veterans. He proudly rode his sunburst orange Honda Goldwing Trike around the Central Valley, in local parades, holiday festivals, and gave rides to grandkids, nieces and nephews at family gatherings. When he wasn’t admiring classic cars or riding his motorcycle, he enjoyed attending his son Adam’s soccer games and attending Fresno Fuego FC matches as part of the infamous supporter’s group La Bombardera.
Lou retired in 2004. In retirement, he rekindled his love for motorcycles, attending classic car shows, and supporting US military veterans. He proudly rode his sunburst orange Honda Goldwing Trike around the Central Valley, in local parades, holiday festivals, and gave rides to grandkids, nieces and nephews at family gatherings. When he wasn’t admiring classic cars or riding his motorcycle, he enjoyed attending his son Adam’s soccer games and attending Fresno Fuego FC matches as part of the infamous supporter’s group La Bombardera.
He went by many names other than Lou. At Fresno State, the players and coaches called him “Sweet Lou”. With the players he mentored, he was known as “Coach”. To his grandchildren, he was known as “Papa Lou” and “Dado”.
He went by many names other than Lou. At Fresno State, the players and coaches called him “Sweet Lou”. With the players he mentored, he was known as “Coach”. To his grandchildren, he was known as “Papa Lou” and “Dado”.
Lou was a Roman Catholic. Over the years, he was a parishioner at Mission San Juan Capistrano, Our Lady of Perpetual Help (Clovis, CA), St. Paul Newman Center (Fresno, CA) and St. Anthony of Padua (Reedley, CA). A Celebration of Life is planned for November 7th in Fresno, CA. A military service will be held on his birthday, Tuesday, December 1st at the National Cemetery in Riverside, CA (where his brother is laid to rest). See the Celebration of Life page on this site for details.
Lou was a Roman Catholic. Over the years, he was a parishioner at Mission San Juan Capistrano, Our Lady of Perpetual Help (Clovis, CA), St. Paul Newman Center (Fresno, CA) and St. Anthony of Padua (Reedley, CA). A Celebration of Life is planned for November 7th in Fresno, CA. A military service will be held on his birthday, Tuesday, December 1st at the National Cemetery in Riverside, CA (where his brother is laid to rest). See the Celebration of Life page on this site for details.
“Bulldog born, Bulldog bred, Gonna be a Bulldog til the day I’m dead!”
“Bulldog born, Bulldog bred, Gonna be a Bulldog til the day I’m dead!”
The family requests, in lieu of flowers, please donate to Wounded Warriors Project at support.woundedwarriorproject.org.
The family requests, in lieu of flowers, please donate to Wounded Warriors Project at support.woundedwarriorproject.org.