Juan Manuel Prado

Son of Amalia H. Prado and Fernando A. Prado, he was born January 22, 1935, in Mexico City, Mexico. He was the second youngest of 10 children. While his older siblings had entered the realm of politics and government, it was adventure and the possibility of a career in design that made him make a pivotal decision. Alone, he drove his convertible Chevrolet into the United States, and decided Los Angeles would be his destination. He enrolled in Los Angeles City College, while working factory jobs, and renting a room. These early days formed who he was through the friendships he forged – taking him all the way to the door of the woman he would marry. After graduating with a mechanical engineering degree, he eventually went onto work in the aerospace industry. He worked on everything from 747 engines, to working with NASA and helping to design the first space shuttle engine. He worked hard throughout his career, and finally retired, with no real plans, but knowing he would be starting a second chapter. He went on to build a home in Baja, Mexico where he also built and ran a laundromat, that kept him busy and allowed his engineer’s mind to continue, while repairing machines. This chapter of life proved to be his greatest. He was given the time and space to dive into his love of painting. He joined a community of artists, who not only loved creating, but the comradery they had through their art classes. He also made great friends who he was able to spend the afternoons with, enjoying the local wine, and watching the beautiful sunsets.

He was proceeded in life by his mother and father, and all nine siblings. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Romelia Prado of Lake Forest, CA; their children: Gabriela Prado of Chatsworth, CA and husband, Christian Prejza, Juan Manuel Prado Jr., of Costa Mesa, CA; Three grandchildren: Sebastian Prado, Alliyah Prejza, and Caden Prejza.

While we lost our most beloved dad and husband, many have lost a friend and loved one in him. He was a rock to so many, a conciliatory sounding board, always at the ready with quiet words of wisdom, to help guide a life. His humor was amazing in its quiet, but sardonic ways, that would have the room howling, while embarrassing his forever patient wife. Once he felt someone was important in his life, and that of his family, he would envelope them to be there for that person, in any way he was needed. He raised us to be hopeful and confident in who we were, and where we came from. He was so much more than a husband and father, although to us, that was his greatest roll – he was also a friend, a coworker and colleague, a son, an uncle, a cousin, a brother, a mentor, a stand-in paternal figure, a handyman, an artist, a lover of reading, travel, history and knowledge, and of course, a great party - in the end, what he will always be, is forever missed – we will carry his love and grace with us throughout our lives.

His passing happened many years after what he had expected but was still a life cut short from all that was left to do.

A funeral service for Juan will be held Thursday, February 22, 2024 from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM at Saint Kilian Church, 26872 Estanciero Dr, Mission Viejo, California 92691-5501.