Juan Efren Sañudo Galaviz Jr., aka Babe to his high school sweetheart, Dad to his seven children, Brother to his two surviving siblings, Gpa to his twelve grandchildren, Great Gpa to his ten great grandchildren, Tio or Uncle to his nieces and nephews and most notably, Suave to his friends and all who really knew him, died on Thursday, January 6, 2022 at the young age of 70 years old.
The women in his life were few as his wife, Lupe, stole his heart at Peoria High School (Go Panthers!) when he first glanced at her captivating eyes and charmed her with his charismatic smile. They were blessed with five girls—Ursula, Nora, Erica, Erin, Kimberly and two boys—Efren and Adam, in which they were raised in Peoria, Arizona and carried on the tradition of PHS alma mater.
Juan was a man of few words, but when he spoke it was wise to listen as he was always right sharing his loving advice. He taught us to work hard every day and enjoy family time whenever possible. He took great pride in adventurous family trips, fishing with his buddies, swimming with the grandkids and cuddling with his sweetheart while watching movies on his days off work.
He was an accomplished chef making his famous breakfast feasts and delicious everyday snacks in which he playfully reminded us to “eat our mush”, as well as being a relentless sidekick to his sweetheart preparing addictive family favorites–savory menudo and hearty tamales.
He had an incredible green thumb and could grow anything and everything but favored roses in which he always placed one near his sweetheart wherever she kept busy, barbecuing any chance he got, living within his means, outsmarting groundhogs, giving his all in his man cave by taking on challengers with a game of pool. He took in the panoramic view from his favorite chair at the kitchen table where he can spot his loyal winged wildlife stake their claim in the beautiful garden birdhouses he meticulously placed throughout, watch his tender fruit trees ripen and oversee his grandchildren and great grandchildren run, stumble and laugh on the flawless grass. He welcomed any visitor that made it past the infamous Ring Video Doorbell.
He was frequently quoted saying “what are ya stupid?” when he witnessed something stupid. His signature everyday look was all his–a perfectly braided tail, a clever-witted T-shirt on lounge days, hemmed uniform for work or leather Harley gear for spur of the moment getaways with his sweetheart.
Juan took pride in his marriage of 51 years, two Marine sons, accomplished daughters and even serving in the Army National Guard himself.
He was often stalked by onlookers wanting to buy his meticulously cared for canary yellow 1970 Chevelle with racing black stripes, a graduation gift from his parents or during his heavier days, he was once followed by a young child at the grocery store who thought he was Santa Claus.
Juan lived the life he built in a house he and his sweetheart made a home, worked harder than any A/C unit on a hot Arizona summer day and surrounded himself with a huge loving family and kick-back style friends. His family will hold a private service, free of “don’t be stupid” moments at West Resthaven Funeral Home located at 6450 West Northern Avenue, Glendale, Arizona 85301.
Viewing will start promptly at 8 A.M. – 9 A.M. followed by funeral services at 9 A.M. on January 21, 2022 afterwards a reception at the family residence in El Mirage, Arizona.
The family would like to thank his medical team of doctors and nurses who took great care of him throughout the years and his generous kidney donor for allowing him an additional ten years with us.
Finally, the family asks that in honor of Juan’s dislike of stupidity, that you teach others to “not be stupid“ and simply enjoy your sovereign life–a true gift from God.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.westresthavenfuneralhome.com for the Galaviz family.
Donations are welcomed and 100% will go directly to Juan's services. Please contact West Resthaven Funeral Home at 623-939-8394 (Mention #470701004041).
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