David Juarez

David Juarez passed in his Mesa, Arizona home on March 21, 2024. Born in Adrian, Michigan to Jose and Katherine (Flores) Juarez, David was a loving husband, father, grandfather and brother. David was a man of deep faith who sought to make the world a better place and help people.

David's tireless work ethic started while working in the fields with his family as a young child. As the family settled in Michigan, David continued to work pumping gas, doing dishes, providing janitorial services, etc. He was a machinist for Simpson Paper Mill for 21 years, eventually serving as a union steward. When the papermill closed, David decided to focus on helping his community. He used his severance payment to organize and fund a block party and started a neighborhood watch with the goal of getting his neighbors to communicate and help each other. David became an employment specialist, helping people find jobs. He continued with his community activism and eventually became the first Hispanic city commissioner for Kalamazoo, Michigan. Described as a grass roots commissioner, he worked with his fellow commissioner and friend, Don Cooney, to start after-school programs, arrange diversity celebrations, hold gun buy-back events, and coordinate many more activities to help the community.

"Retiring" meant moving to Mesa, Arizona, and working for Goodwill where he ran a father's program helping men become better fathers with employment, training and counseling. He also volunteered his time working with the youth at the juvenile detention center in Florence, Arizona. Once David truly retired, he started a Facebook page titled, "Love Just Love," where he'd post positive thoughts and music that he felt sent a supportive message. A life-long motorcycle enthusiast, David rode every day for as long as he could. Later years were spent with family, going to concerts, and taking trips to Florida, Hawaii, Italy and Greece.

David married Dawn (Leland) Juarez on October 4, 2015. He's survived by his wife; children Andrea Juarez, Chad Juarez, and Kevin Kaneshige; grandchildren Eliana Guiterrez, Micah Kaneshige, and Athena Kaneshige; brothers Esteban Muro, Larry Delapas, and Joe Delapas; sisters Janie Hernandez, Mary Atkinson, Maria Ybarra, Rosa Toscano, Maria Philbrick-Romero; and many nieces and nephews. David was preceded in death by both of his parents, brothers Juan and Joe Juarez, and nephew Juan Juarez, Jr.

A celebration of life will be held at the family residence in Arizona on Saturday, March 30, from 10 a.m. to noon. Donations to the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Kalamazoo, 4000 Portage, Suite 2101, Kalamazoo, Michigan, 49001 are requested in lieu of flowers.