Lynden resident Juan Plata passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2016, after a short battle with lung cancer. Juan was born in Bishop, Texas, on Nov. 8, 1925 to Jesse and Beatriz (Olivarez) Plata. When he was a young teenager, he went to live with his grandfather on the family ranch. Juan met his beautiful wife Catalina in Mexico and they were married in June 1962. Together they had six children.
In 1967 Juan and Catalina moved to Lynden with their children for the promise of a better life. Juan was employed at Intalco for 27 years before retiring. He was a hardworking loyal man who was dedicated to his family, friends and community.
Juan loved to sing and dance and to be surrounded by his family.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Catalina; daughter Maria (Robert) Harvey and their children Robbie, Marisa and Jobe; son Juan (Bobbi) and their children Ashley, Kyle and Katrina; daughter Idalia (Ron) Otter and their children Kassie, Kayla and Kelsie; son Roger (Mary) and their children Emily, Jesse and Megan; son Ralph; daughter Cathy (Joe Martinez) and their children Abel, Abby and Jayden; five great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
You are invited to a Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 30, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Ferndale, 5781 Hendrickson Ave., followed by burial at Greenacres Memorial Park, 5700 Northwest Dr., Ferndale.
Please share your condolences and memories in the online guestbook at www.gilliesfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Lynden.
