Mr. Juan E. Chiu, 78, Jonesborough, passed away Saturday, February 21, 2015 at the Johnson City Medica Juan E. Chiu, 78, left his earthly body on February 21, 2015, in the arms of his loving wife, surrounded by family and loved ones.
In addition to his parents, Juan Antino Chiu Fuentes and Maria Laura Izquierdo de Chiu, he was preceded in death by sisters: Carola (Caro) Yolanda, Marta (Beti) Elizabet, Luz Elena (Chiqui).
Juan lived in Guatemala until 1969, where he was a Semi-Pro Soccer Player for Guatemala Municipal and Politecnichal. He moved from Guatemala in 1969 to the United States where he became a citizen and declared it his new home. Considering this citizenship as a great personal accomplishment, Juan was overwhelmed with pride when he was asked to speak at the Naturalization of Citizenship in Greenville, TN.
He was retired from: Kennametal, Tennessee Telemarketing, Inc. and Milligan College, where he worked to develop the soccer program and coached for more than 20 years. Until his death he was working enthusiastically with TOPS as a regional migrant education recruiter.
He was an avid soccer fan and was instrumental in bringing the sport to the youth of East Tennessee.
Many recognized him as the voice of WETS FM Ritmo Litino where he volunteered his time to host the flavor and taste of latin music for 17 years.
As a coach, Juan took great pride in working with young men and women in the area and used the sport of soccer to help them develop character and leadership skills.
He was proudly initiated to the Johnson City Parks and Recreations’ Wall of Fame for his years of service working to develop the soccer program in East Tennessee.
Leaving behind to cherish his memory are his wife and love of his life, Sylvia, daughters: Liliana Lucrecia Spears (Hector Rios), Salisbury, NC, Yolanda Cordero (Mario), Raleigh, NC, Cintia Karina Chiu (Tony Burris), Charlotte, NC and son, Joseph English (Wendy), Thomasville, NC: 13 children of his children, and 13 children of his children’s children. Additionally, he leaves to pay it forward, hundreds of young men and women who were blessed with his encouragement to go and give of their time and talents to their community.
Memorial Services for Mr. Chiu will be held 8 pm Tuesday, February 24, 2015 at Dillow-Taylor Funeral Home in Jonesborough. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 pm prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests those wishing to make contributions do so in his memory to Milligan College’s Soccer Scholarship program or to The Juan Chiu Scholarship Fund c/o Jessica Castaneda, TN Migrant Education Program, TOPS, 4660 Hills Creek Road, McMinnville, TN 37110.
We will be having a celebration of life on Juan's birthday, May
24. Contact family for details.
Sylvia and family:
Juan was a great coach to two of my three sons. He will be
missed. Sending prayers to your family
02/25/2015
Heather Saults
Sylvia,
My heart goes out to you and your family in this most difficult of times. You are and will remain in my thoughts and prayers. With love.
02/24/2015
Kathy Ash Baker
Sylvia, My prayers and thoughts are with you during this difficult time.
Mi mas sentido pesame para la familia, Juan Chiu fue un gran
amigo de neustras familias por mas de 20 años, fue para
nosotros una persona que siempre tubo palabras de apoyo y
buena influencia, fue coach de futbol de mi hijo Ricardo,
cuando mi hijo tenia 9 años, todos Estamos muy tristes por su
partida, lo recordaremos , y extrañaremos . Sinceramente
Martha Huerta y Familia.
02/24/2015
Martha Huerta y Familia
Mis mas sentido pesame , Juan Chiu fue un gran amigo
,conosido nuestro por mas de 20 años, fue coach de futbol de
mi hijo Ricardo que tiene 12 años de dead, todos Estamos
muy triste por su partida , se le recordara siempre , mas en los
partidos de futbol, igualmente se le extrañara.
02/24/2015
Minnie Hemphill
Sylvia and family, I am deeply sorry to read of your loss.
Although losing a loved one is never to deal with, our Heavenly
Father gives us the needed strength to cope. May you
experience HIS loving care as you move through this time of
grief.
This man was responsible for soccer being such a strong sport
in Johnson City ... He worked hard with the Parks and Rec to
get a soccer program for young children and fields for them to
play on, and he was a strong force in the founding of ETSF (
for those who do not remember The East Tenn. Soccer
Federation). We own him a great "thank you" for what he did
for soccer in Johnson City and the whole Tri Cities area ....
Juan Chiu we salute you, dear man.
My condolences to Juan's family for their loss. While we have
never met, I played for Coach Chiu for my 4 years at Milligan
College from 1991 - 1995. I've thought about him many times
over the years and am blessed to have had him as part of my
life for my 4 years at Milligan. I'm sorry I can't be there in
person to share my condolences but know that he was an
influential person in my life and the life of many young men
that played soccer for him at Milligan.
02/24/2015
The Hipple Family
So sorry to hear about the passing of Coach Chiu who
was the first soccer coach of my children.
He was a very special man.
Prayers for you and your family.
Sylvia
I am so sorry to hear about your loss,my thoughts and prayers are with you. May God Confort you and give you peace at this difficult time.
God Bless you
02/24/2015
Dr. Patti Vanhook, ETSU College of Nursing
I was blessed to know Juan through his dedication as a board member for our community health center and advocate for our migrant population. I was shocked to learn of his death and my heartfelt sympathies are with you, his family. I know you have lost your loved one and our community has lost a great leader. May God give you peace during this most difficult time. Prayers for comfort, he has joined the throng of angels.
02/24/2015
Sheila Sanders
Sylvia, some people search a lifetime
and never find a love like you shared
with Juan. Thank you for sharing your
"Love Story" with me. God bless you
and your family.
02/24/2015
Sheila Sanders
Sylvia, some people search a lifetime and never find
a love like you shared with Juan. Thank you for
sharing your "Love Story" with me. God bless you and
your family.
02/24/2015
Cheryl Pridgen
Sylvia, I was so sorry to hear about your husband. You are in
my thoughts and prayers. May your memories be a comfort to
you. Love, Cheryl
02/24/2015
Jerrold and Frances Pigg
Dear Sylvia and family,
Jerrold and I are so sorry for your loss. May God
bless each of you during this difficult time.
Sylvia you and Juan were a very special couple and
we love you both. You both have hearts of gold and
we will always treasure your friendship.
Love you,
Jerrold and Frances Pigg
02/24/2015
John & Barbara Stevens
Juan was a wonderful friend to us and a great person. His
dedication and knowledge played a big part in starting Soccer
here and growing into what it is today. May God be with each
member of the family and bless them during this time.
02/24/2015
Wanda Spears Nelson
SORRY TOO HERE YOUR LOSE PRAYING FOR YOU AND FAMILY
Sylvia- Dana & I send our sincere condolences, and we continue to keep your family in our prayers.
Juan was a very influencial person in my life as a young man. I
have thought often about him over the past 24 years and
hearing of his passing makes me very sad. I am praying for
hia family and giving thanks he was once a large part of my
life. You did it right, sir. And I will miss you.
02/24/2015
Joseph Nickles
Coach Chiu was a very wonderful man! "MORE TO LIFE THAN MEETS THE EYE"! MY CONDOLENCE TO THE FAMILY...YOU'LL MEET AGAIN! PEACE, JOEY!
Sylvia,
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. May the love and peace of God be with you and your family.
Sylvia and family, I am so sorry for you loss. Your family are in my thoughts and prayers!
Wendy Leedy
02/23/2015
Deborah Shepherd
Sylvia, May God hold you in his comforting arms. The
day will come when you will hold hands again. Hold
close those memories until you meet again. Thoughts
and Prayers are with you and your family. Deborah
Shepherd
02/23/2015
Susan Lachmann
Juan will be greatly missed; his influence will remain greatly
present throught the many, many people he reached through
Sports, education and music. I am proud to know him as a
friend and fellow radio host. Thank you, Juan, for your many
gifts to East Tennessee, and may your loved ones be
comforted. Most sincerely, Susan Lachmann
My deepest sympathies for your loss. Your
family is in our prayers.
Sylvia,
I was deeply saddened when I heard about Juan
passing away. Juan was a great humble person who
did so many acts of kindness for so many, and will
be greatly missed. You and your family are in my
thoughts and prayers.
- Mike Crumley
Quisiera expresarle mis más profundas condolencias por el fallecimiento del Sr. Juan Chiu
Una amistad de mas de 20 años... memorias
paseos por los campos ayudando siempre al necesitado, ese era Don Juan
Deseo que su alma descanse en paz y que su familia encuentres pronto consuelo a tan enorme pérdida.
Sinceramente Antonio Ruiz
02/23/2015
Bill and Julia Ellis
We are blessed to have known Juan. What a gentle giant of a man. Our love to you Sylvia and all of Juan's family.
Ged Bless, you Juan. Your enthusiastic and tireless
mission to train generations of boys and young men
the skills of soccer will be an enduring legacy in
northeast Tennessee for many generations to come, as
well as your devotion to Milligan College and your
kindness and generosity to all those you have met.
Your final whistle may have been blown, but you will
always remain in the hearts and minds of your former
players. God Speed.
Sylvia, my heart is heavy for you. May God grant you peace in your heart knowing that Juan is in NO pain now.
