John Manuel Sierra Munoz, passed away at the age of 82, on Thursday May 27th. He was surrounded by his children and passed away peacefully in his home. John Manuel was born in Tolleson, Arizona on February 8th, 1939. His parents, Manuel Aldape Munoz and Melquiades Loretta Sierra Munoz, raised their 13 children in Swink, Colorado. John's brother's: Joe, Philipo, Paul, Raymond, Johnny, Valentine, and Steve. Sister's: Pauline, Leona, Rosemary, Anita and Esther.
The family eventually made their way to Lomita, California, where John Manual attended school and graduated from Narbonne High in 1959. He married his high-school sweetheart, Amelia Soto (divorced in 1980). Together, they had 7 children (baby Maria Luisa passed away in 1963). John is survived by his 6 children and their spouses, 11 grandchildren (and spouses), and 8 great-grandchildren.
Children: Teresa "Terry" (Travis) Craigmiles, Loretta (Jeff) Colclasure, Lisa Gallucci (Nick Fasheh), John Raymond "JR" (Sally) Munoz, Marlene (Jim) Allen, Cindy (Mick) Munoz-Filson. Grandchildren: Nicole (Mike) Menges, Jeffrey Colclasure, David (Angie) Gallucci, Shannon (Jessica) Ramirez, Drake (Lauren) Munoz, Erica (Jordan) Patton, Clayton Munoz, Skyler Munoz, Spencer Gutierrez, Kimberly Munoz-Filson, Breanna Munoz-Filson. Great-grandchildren: Jada and Gianni Gallucci, Gracie and Aviana Patton, Isabella and Olivia Munoz, Brayden Menges and Noah Munoz (with 2 more babies coming this year).
John often worked 2-3 different jobs at a time to support his family. It was important to him to always make sure to provide for his family. In 1994, he retired as a supervisor from Northrop. He truly loved life in all that he did! From growing up on a farm, to working hard as a carpenter. He held lots of titles. He was also a poet, and an artist - he was very talented. You could never come to his house to visit without hearing a song. He was always playing his guitar and singing. He truly loved entertaining his family and friends. He was also a very good cook! He made the best "chili-verde con carne" ever! Amongst many other tasty dishes. He was definitely well-known to be a jokester. All day long, he would tell jokes. He loved everyone and making people smile meant the most to him. John, our dad, papa, brother, brother-in law, cousin, nino, uncle, coach, and friend, has touched so many lives. He will be missed but never forgotten. We love you daddy!
In lieu of flowers, the family would like donations to be made in honor of John's memory to the Dementia Society of America (
https://www.dementiasociety.org/
).
All family and friends are invited to his Celebration of Life.
Friday June 4th at 11:00 am
St Margaret Mary Church
25511 Eshelman Ave.
Lomita, CA. 90717
Followed by burial at Green Hills Cemetery
27501 S. Western Ave., Rancho Palos Verdes, CA. 90275
Reception to follow at Samba by the Sea
207 N. Harbor Drive, Redondo Beach CA. 90277