JUAN A. REYES

When Juan Antonio Reyes was ten years old, his older sister Alicia was by his side when he was told that he had only six months to live. He passed away on Tuesday, June 16, 2015 at the age of 67. Juan was born in Bogotá, Colombia to Juan Reyes and Alicia Perdomo. When he was 18 he was invited by his Aunt Zoila to study in the United States. He enrolled at San Jose State where he met his future wife, Adua Butticci. After college, Juan attended UCSF medical school and graduated in 1978. Juan, Adua and their two children, Andrée and Antony, moved to Fresno where Juan would embark on a long career as an OB-GYN physician. After completing his residency training in 1982, Juan was recruited to join the UCSF faculty where he served until 2009, finishing his tenure as Associate Clinical Professor. He was always kind and compassionate and served as a mentor for generations of new doctors in training. He also served as the Outpatient Care Director for many years and when UCSF needed his help he was the Interim Chief of the Department and Director of the Training Program. After leaving UCSF, Juan helped to run clinics in different valley towns like Parlier and Earlimart. His love of medicine and helping those less fortunate was also manifest in the various trips that he took to the rural areas of Mexico to treat patients at free medical clinics. Juan's medical colleagues describe him as a true lover of the practice of medicine. He is remembered for his clinical excellence, unfailing warmth to the thousands of patients he cared for, as well as for his humor. While reaching great heights professionally, Juan always took time for his family. From trips to Mexico and Hawaii, encouraging and supporting his children in their interests and education and coaching his son in soccer and baseball, Juan was a beloved husband and father. His many hobbies were more like fervent passions. His love of music meant not only playing but also building his own guitars. His love of woodworking meant adorning the house with finely crafted furniture. In the early 2000's, Juan, now with his second wife Amalia Rioja by his side, began to experience more profound effects of the condition that was discovered when he was 10. For the next decade Juan battled with his health but never lost his joie de vivre, and little by little he became more spiritual. He invested time and energy in the building of a special altar at the Mokichi Okada Association (MOA), where he had become a practitioner of Johrei Reiki. Juan leaves behind a true legacy in the Fresno community. As a doctor, musician and friend, he has had an indelible impact on all who have spent time with him. His immediate and extended family from California to Colombia will never forget his laughter, his kindness and his generosity. A celebration of Juan's life will be held at MOA Nature Farm and Health Oasis Garden, 5790 N. Indianola Ave, Clovis, CA 93619 on Saturday, June 27, 2015 at 11:00 a.m.