Juan Diego Archuleta passed away on Monday, June 7, 2021 at the age of 77 in Colorado Springs.  Juan was born in Fowler, Colorado on November 12, 1943 to Elud and Mary (Sandoval) Archuleta.  Juan was born while his father was serving in the U.S. Army in Europe in WWII and first met his father in person when he was two years old.  He held many jobs growing up including working at a dairy where he learned a lot about animals.  Growing up Juan loved to ride horses and explore the wilderness in San Luis Valley.  After graduating from Centennial High School, at the young age of 17, Juan enlisted in the U.S. Navy.  He proudly served on the U.S.S. Saratoga as an electrician for four years.  On the Saratoga, Juan and his fellow seamen endured a tense period during the Cuban Missile Crisis as they took part in President Kennedy’s blockade of the island.   

After he returned to civilian life in Pueblo, Colorado, Juan married his beloved wife Marie.  He also studied cosmetology and became a hair stylist.  In 1966, Juan and Marie moved to Colorado Springs and started a family.  One of the highlights of his career was opening his own salon, Rockrimmon Coiffures.  Juan continued to style hair into his mid-70s and directly impacted the lives of numerous clients making them look and feel their best.  Juan was a master fisherman and knew the best places to fish in Colorado.  He loved being outdoors in the mountains or wherever there was a lake, river, or creek to cast his rod.  Juan also enjoyed reading novels about the Wild West and Native American Indians.  When he wasn’t fishing, he’d be watching fishing shows on television. He particularly liked Bill Dance’s Gone Fishin’.  He also loved spending time with his children and grandchildren whenever he could.

Juan was preceded in death by his infant son Juan Diego Jr., and his parents Elud and Mary.  He is survived by his loving wife Marie, his son John, his daughter and son-in-law Michelle and Doug, his daughter and son-in-law Suzanne and John-Marshall, his grandchildren Ali, Vincent, Julia, George, and Benjamin, his sister Josie, brothers Richard and Elud Jr., and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and dear friends.