Juan Elias Estrada

Juan was born on May 26, 1923, in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, to Felipe & Herlinda Estrada. He was the second of thirteen children. Juan's family moved to Laredo, Texas, when he was five years old. The family settled in Corpus Christi, Texas, at seven years of age.

He was drafted into the Army in 1943 and served in France and Germany. He returned home a combat veteran on the Queen Mary and became a U.S. Citizen. His decorations and citations included: European/American Campaign Ribbon with two Bronze Stars, Combat Infantryman Badge, Good Conduct Medal, Victory Medal, and three Overseas Bars.

When Juan returned home from the war, he married "Aurora Perales," the girl next door. They had seven children, and they lived in Corpus Christi, Texas. He worked in Corpus at the Naval Air Station (NAS) until the late 1950s and then transferred to Naval Air Station, North Island in Coronado, California, where he retired after 39 years as an aircraft painter & mechanic.

His wife Aurora predeceased him in 2003 after 57 years of marriage. Other predeceased family members included: infant son Jeffrey Edwin (4 months old) in 1950, brothers Leo, Tito, and Raul, sisters Sarah Davis, Minerva Addelman, Ruth Holmes, Ester Smith, Geraldine Perez, and Juanita Cruz.

Juan is survived by his six children: Johnny Estrada, Mary Blanco (Bobby), Jeanette Compton (Mitch), Joy Durazo (Willie, Sr.), June Gonzales (Bernard), Jimmy Estrada (Julie), and his sisters Rebecca Edwards, Orfa Estrada-Flores and Hope Kelly. He has 12 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren.

Juan was a Southern Baptist and enjoyed reading his Bible daily. His interests included: dancing, karaoke, bingo, bowling, and bocce ball. He was also a member of the Chula Vista Elks #2011, the American Legion #434, the Fleet Reserve #61 (auxiliary member), and a life member of the VFW #2111.

Juan's favorite charity was the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) of San Diego. Please make contributions to https://www.dav.org/ in lieu of flowers.

A closed-casket visitation for Juan will be held Thursday, February 3, 2022, from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm. A funeral service will occur Friday, February 4, 2022, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am. Following the funeral service, a graveside service will occur Friday, February 4, 2022, from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm. Events will be held at Glen Abbey Memorial Park and Mortuary, 3838 Bonita Road, Bonita, CA 91902 at the Little Chapel of Roses.