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James Juarez Obituary
February 12,1946 ~ March 29, 2022
San Rafael
James Juarez passed away on March 29, 2022. He bravely battled ALS for the past 2½ years.
Jim was born in February of 1946. He was a proud native of San Francisco, attending Sacred Heart Elementary School and High School. Jim loved being a fighting Irish! He went on to graduate from San Francisco State University with a degree in Recreation. He put his degree to good use as the director of many playgrounds throughout the city.
It was during his college years that Jim met the love of his life, Margo. In the early years of marriage, Jim proudly served his country in the USAR as a medic. Jim and Margo had two children, and Jim became a San Francisco Fireman. His family and career as a firefighter were Jim's greatest pride and joy.
Jim's other passion in life was being a coach. He coached teams of all ages in baseball, soccer, basketball, and softball. Jim spent the last 20 years of his coaching career with Marin Catholic softball. All of Jim's players were greeted with a friendly "Hey kid," followed by some piece of helpful advice.
Jim found joy in many things, even as his ALS progressed. He cherished attending the many sporting events of his four grandchildren, dancing and singing to live music, rarely missing a Friday evening at the Horseshoe Pits, chatting with friends at the YMCA, taking daily spins around Marinwood riding the wheelchair that gave him independence, enjoying coffee with his buddies, and spending Thursday afternoons with his fireman brothers.
Despite all he was going through, Jim always had a positive outlook and a kind word to say. He loved life, and embraced all he met. He had a way of making everyone he interacted with feel special. He will be forever loved and remembered by his wife Margo, children Sean and Stephanie, sister Margot, daughter-in-law and son-in-law Robyn and Beni, grandchildren Olivia, Payton, Lily, and Max, and in-laws, the Dells family.
There will be a funeral service held at 11:00 on Thursday, May 19, 2022 at St. Isabella's Church.
To honor Jim's memory, take time to spend with your family and loved ones. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The ALS Association Golden West Chapter (www.alsagoldenwest.org), San Francisco Firefighters Toy Program, or Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep.
Arrangements entrusted to Keaton's Mortuary, San Rafael
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Memories and Condolences
for James Juarez
Sponsored by MarinIJ.com.
Christine Brannon Gould and Family
May 21, 2022
So sorry for your loss. Very best wishes
Erika (Lamson) Barzi
May 20, 2022
I spent so much time at the Juarez house and Jim and Margo were always the most amazing hosts. Jim coached me in basketball and soccer with tremendous encouragement. You never saw Jim without a smile. He holds special memories in my life. xoxo
Linda Guidotti-Golfos
May 16, 2022
Heartfelt Sympathy
From The Guidotti-Golfos Family
Margo Juarez
May 10, 2022
Thank you all for such kind words. He was loved.
Dan O´Donnell
May 9, 2022
My condolences to the Juarez family. I worked with Jim in the SFFD. He was a very nice, kind and gentle man, but a good and loyal fireman. I am sorry for your loss. Jim was a fine man and I admire him.
Dan O´Donnell
Retired Rescue 1
SFFD
Chip Ryan
May 6, 2022
So sorry for your loss. Fond memories of a wonderful man! May he Rest In Peace. God bless .
Pat Martinez
May 5, 2022
Jim was a prince of men. Kind, loving , and a leader. Worked with coach early in my career in the SFFD. The best of the best. God bless him and his family.
Lynn and Steve Merlo
May 1, 2022
We are so sorry for your family´s loss.
Margo Juarez
April 22, 2022
Thank you for your kind messages. Just an update to the service on Thursday May 19th. After the mass at st. Isabella´s @ 11:00 there will be a celebration of life at the Bill and Adele center on the Indian Valleycollege campus in Novato . 1800 Indian Valley Road. All are welcomed.
Karen & Paul DeMartini
April 14, 2022
We are so sorry to hear of Jim´s passing. He was such a kind, generous & sweet man.
We met him through MC softball (he coached our 2 daughters & took their little brother under his wing ). While he coached them in softball, he set such a fine example of how one should lead their life. We feel blessed to have had him touch our lives and will miss running into him around Marin. To Mr. Juarez´s family- thank you for sharing him, we are so sorry for your loss. He and kindnesses will not be forgotten.
Cynthia Dotto and Ken Mihelich
April 12, 2022
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Ray and Kuei-Ling Pomerleau
April 11, 2022
A good man has died. "Big Jim" may no longer be with us, yet, our memories of him will forever remain with us. For his loving and devoted wife Margo and his children Sean and Stephanie, we want to share with you our heartfelt sympathy during this period of sadness. Once again, Jim's passing alerts us to the realization that our existence is impermanent, and correspondingly, it is always heart-wrenching and profoundly painful to say goodbye. Rest in peace, my good man.
Yours in sympathy and friendship.
Ray and Kuei-Ling
Julianne Henry
April 10, 2022
Dear Margo, Sean, and Stephanie,
I am so sorry to hear about Jim´s passing. He was always a positive,kind encouraging dad to all the kids who visited your house. I remember he would always tell me I should do basketball because I was tall...even though I was afraid of the ball! Sending you all my love and prayers, Julianne
The Dells Family
April 10, 2022
Missing Jim so much our handsome dapper soulful joyful funfilled bro in law whose love for his Margo, ever by his side, his family, his relatives, neighbors in Marinwood, Brothers from Station 12 and all fire men and women, his life long friendship with his SH classmates and teammates, his players from the playgrounds of San Francisco to the courts and diamonds of Marin, the love of music and dancing and singing, attending his grandchildren's games and events, making drinks and barbecuing at the weekly horse shoe tournaments in Marinwood, etc etc etc
Jim connected people and built community and brought joy to the world He answered the call, the vocation of being a wonderful person trying his best to make our world a better place for all of us to live and grow, with our differences and common humanity. Thanks Jim Our family is so blessed to have seen and experienced the world with and through you.
Love always The Dells family
Dan Dunnigan
April 10, 2022
Prayers to the Juarez Family. Worked with Jim at my first firehouse, Station 12 in the Haight Ashbury...loved his calm demeanor, confidence and infectious smile. May he Rest In Peace
Marty Hackett
April 8, 2022
Jim was our playground director at Sunnyside park in the early seventies. Coached us in touch football and setting up softball and basketball games. Always was a positive guy and good sense of humor. Was sorry to read this. My condolences to your family.
Marty Hackett
Lora
April 7, 2022
May God´s loving kindness and comfort help you and your family through this very difficult time. Matthew 5:4
J.Harris
April 7, 2022
Dear Juarez, offering our deepest condolence to the family, please take comfort in knowing that God cares personally for you and your family.
DT
April 7, 2022
As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends. Please take comfort in the words found at 2nd Thessalonians 2:16,17.
Steph Lorenz
April 7, 2022
Loved you, Jimbo
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