Juan Goyeneche

1935 - 2021

JUAN GOYENECHE
October 18, 1935 - March 15, 2021

Rosary will be held at 10:30am followed by a Mass of Christian burial at 11:00am on Friday, March 26th, 2021 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, 12300 Reina Rd.  Graveside services will follow at Greenlawn Southwest, 2739 Panama Ln.

Juan Goyeneche, 85, unexpectedly passed from this life into eternal life on March 15, 2021.  Juan was born in the beautiful town of Elizondo, Navarra, Spain on October 18, 1935 to Clara and Jean Goyeneche.  Juan was the youngest child born into a family of five siblings.  Juan learned what hard work meant living on the family farm, having had a mother who was widowed at a young age. Long days and oftentimes long nights led Juan to have dreams and aspirations of a bigger and better life.  Determination got him to the United States in 1961.

Once here he was employed as a sheepherder for Mendiburu Sheep Company in Bakersfield. Juan was quickly promoted to a foreman position for the company. During the summers Juan would travel between June and Mono Lakes irrigating meadows that would be grazed by sheep.  In 1960 Juan met the love of his life Adrienne Saldubehere in Lee Vining, CA.

Summer love led to the marriage of Juan and Adrienne on June 29, 1968 in Reno, Nevada at Saint Thomas Aquinas Cathedral.  Juan spent 2 years working in Downey, CA as a landscaper and starting a family. The knowledge and admiration of livestock and land that Juan carried with him from Spain would be the foundation he needed to fulfill his American dream, and entrepreneurial spirit.  In addition, Juan achieved becoming an American Citizen of which he was tremendously proud.

The young couple began their sheep business after they moved to Lancaster.  Juan loved working with animals, and soon decided to grow his business. This meant a move to Bakersfield where pasture was somewhat more available.  With his youth, strength, optimism, and Basque work ethic, he was ready to provide a beautiful life for himself and his family.  Juan was a well liked and respected member of the Bakersfield community. He was an Honorary member of the Kern County Basque Club, a fifty year member of the Kern County Wool Grower's Association, a forty-eight year member of the California Wool Grower's Association, and a 40 year member of the Kern County Farm Bureau as well.

At the time of his death Juan was semi-retired after fifty years in business.  Juan's son, John, now manages the sheep business with the same business integrity and love of animals as his late father.

Juan is survived by his spouse of 52 years Adrienne Goyeneche, and two children John Goyeneche and his wife Avon, Gina Alegre and her husband Daniel;  his six grandchildren, Alexis and Nicholas Goyeneche, Daniel, Alexander, Claire and Marissa Alegre;  his brother Arnaud Goyeneche;  sister and brother in-law Antoinette and Ray Smith, and many nieces and nephews still residing in the U.S. and Spain.

Juan was preceded in death by his father Jean Goyeneche Iribarren, mother Clara Vicondoa Arraztoa, brothers Arnaurd and Juan Pedro Goyeneche, and sisters and brother in-laws, Mariana and Juan Irigoyen, Graciana and Antonio San Sebastian.

Remembrances may be made to: American Heart Association, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, or the Kern County Basque Club.

GURE BIHOTSETAN BETI