Juan Barbosa Amaya

Juan Amaya of Portland, Oregon died April 30, 2005 he was 89 years old. Juan in his youth at a family ranch in Utopia, Texas worked as a ranch hand, lassoing cattle, bronco rider, mending fences, taming horses, a true cowboy in the West Texas riding the range. He served honorably in the US Navy as a Seaman First Class in 1941 on the USS Captivate 156, mind sweeper for 4 years in the South Pacific Islands during WWII and was discharged from Camp Wallace, Texas on Nov. 24, 1945. He then migrated with his family from Texas to Oregon in the 1960's and worked for Boise Cascade Plywood and Mill in Valsetz, Oregon. He enjoyed bank fishing, dancing, doing volunteer work, watching his grandchildren play sports and sporting events on T.V. Juan volunteered for four separate senior meal site organizations. Mid Willamette Valley Senior Service Agency in Salem, Dallas, Monmouth First Christian Church and Independence. He was honored as a volunteer and received a plaque and was praised at the annual banquet for continually helping clean up after 50+ seniors eating at the meal sites daily. He enjoyed this because it made him feel food to help others in need. Open Casket visitation will be held at Farnstrom Mortuary on May 5, 2005 from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm with a Rosary starting at 6:00 pm. Funeral Mass will commence on May 6, 2005 at St. Patrick Catholic Church at 10:00 am with a Military Burial Following at Hilltop Cemetery. Funeral Arrangements Entrusted to Farnstrom Mortuary, Independence.