Juan Montalvo

Juan Angel Montalvo was born on January 8, 1947 in Allende, Nuevo Leon, Mexico and passed from this life on November 16, 2022 at the Fairview Fellowship Home.  He was the fifth child of ten children.  He helped to support his large family from an early age by walking the cows up and down narrow mountains paths to graze and washing dishes in street cafes.  His education ended after the third grade.  His travels led him to Weatherford, Oklahoma and for several years, he worked as a dishwasher and cook before moving to Tulsa.  He worked there at Monterrey House Restaurant and Furr’s Cafeteria.  Juan met and married Carol in Tulsa in 1976, and they had three children: Monica, Joey, and Marissa.  In 1978 Juan and Carol sold everything they owned and moved to Allende to work harvesting oranges.  When the citrus crop froze in 1979, Juan returned to the U.S. working construction in Dallas, Texas and later in the oilfield in Clinton, Oklahoma.  Juan then purchased a home close to Allende where the family lived for a few years.  In 1985 the family moved to Cherokee, Oklahoma for an opportunity at the Prairie Winds Steak House.  Juan began his lawn and tree service career in 1987 and spent the rest of his healthy life on a John Deere mower.  He was happiest outdoors on his land, where he knew every inch by heart, and raising his cows which were all named and numbered.  Juan truly loved the value of a hard day’s work, providing for his family and listening to his “ranchero” music.

He is preceded in death by his parents and three sisters.

He is survived by his daughter, Monica Parker and husband, Jared of Locust Grove; his son, Joey Montalvo of Cherokee; his daughter, Marissa Allen and husband,  Kenneth of Oklahoma City; five grandchildren, Pacie, Max, Joey, Noah, and Claire; one brother, Lolo of Cherokee; other brothers; sisters; nieces, and nephews, residing in Mexico; former spouse, Carol of Cherokee, and his extended family of nursing staff in Fairview.

A graveside memorial service for Juan will be at Cherokee Municipal Cemetery on Saturday, December 3, 2022 at 2:00 p.m.  Arrangements are by Lanman Funeral Home, Inc. of Cherokee.  www.lanmanmemorials.com

Memorials may be given to Cherokee Food Pantry in honor of Juan through the funeral home.