CASTANEDA, John Becerra's Obituary
Juan Becerra Castañeda (94), born on March 31, 1931 (two years after the Great Depression 1929-1939), passed away on October 27, 2025, at his home with his daughter Cyndy and Grandchildren. He had been ill for several years.
He was born in Santa Rita, New Mexico (A Copper Mining Community). Although he was born in New Mexico he resided most of his teenage and adult life in San Diego, CA. He later returned to New Mexico and married our Mother Juanita Gomez (daughter of Simon Gomez and Francisca Silva), who passed away on February 06, 2017. During their time in New Mexico, they witnessed (from afar) the first detonation (known as trinity test) of the first atomic bomb, nicknamed “The Gadget”) in White Sands, near Alamogordo New Mexico, July 16, 1945. Four years after their 3rd child was born (1957), they decided to move back San Diego, California to start anew life. At the beginning, it was rough getting a job and finding a home for the family. As time went on, things got better once he found employment working for the City of La Mesa. With a lot of hard work, perseverance, and attention to details, he was able to promote himself to the position of Heavy Equipment Operator, where he retired after 32 years. He spent his final days in the home they had purchased in 1963 (the year President Kennedy was assassinated).
Surviving children are Johnny (Jr.) Castañeda (who remembers dad saying "your mother calling you from the fast lane on the freeway”). Steve Castaneda (who remembers dad always saying “safety first”). Patricia Castañeda (who remembers Grandma Castañeda admonishing our dad(harshly) for trying to (jokingly) throw our sister-in-law into the cold water at Silver Strand Bay and she remembers the road trip to San Francisco and Grand Canyon. Cyndy Lawrence (who remembers dad always saying “Take it Away Arlene”) and the road trip to San Francisco. And our deceased sister, Susan Allensworth (who remembered always having to be chaperone till she was 18 years old). All surviving children reside in San Diego, California. Other memorable saying, not all inclusive, from the grandchildren (10): “Did I ever tell you I worked in a fish-cannery”, “did I ever tell you I retired from the city of La Meas after 32 years”. “Did I ever tell you I stopped President Ronalds Regan’s motorcade on the way to the beach.” “You’re sick (six), why are you always sick?” And “I’m goanna send you back to Japan where you came from.”
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