Juan Carlos Lopez

Juan Carlos Lopez (Foley) (Holden), aka “PeeWee,” was born in Kingsville, Texas, on Jan. 19, 1987. He passed away in Billings from an accidental gunshot wound on Dec. 10, 2013, just short of 27.

He and sister Jennifer were adopted by his parents, Marion Foley and Dennis Holden, in 1989 at the ages of 2 and 3. They came to Montana in June and joined their sister Erin and brother Sean at the family home south of Martin City.

Here, Juanito grew up playing along South Abbott Creek, catching fish with his bare hands, running in the meadows with his dogs, building forts in the old hay barn, riding his horse and giving rein to his free spirit that touched us all. He attended schools at Canyon Elementary and Columbia Falls.

His grandma Jaybird picked up J.C. each week from school and drove him to the library. He often told me how much he appreciated the gift of reading that she gave him, and how in prison they could not believe his voracious appetite for books.

Juan was Latino and tried to figure out who he was in Northwest Montana. Many Native American families in the area reached out to him, helping him stay grounded.

He served four years in prison for breaking the window of a convenience store. He found friends of color in the system who understood him and continued to be his homeys, providing support for one another when others did not understand. He stayed on in Billings because of these friends and mentors, appreciative of their guidance.

His parents, cousins, aunts and uncles, along with his teachers, counselors and friends, helped Juan negotiate the challenges of growing up. It took a village to raise J.C., and the family sincerely appreciates the effort, caring and love that each extended to him. We want everyone to know, he “was making it” — he liked his job and was giving back to young kids in Billings at his boxing club.

As he told me last week, he was now talking to friends from the “other side of the fence now,” helping by sharing his message of hope and strength. He told me he did not care much for material things these days and was so grateful for everything he had in his heart. In his short time here on earth, he had learned so much.

A few days before the accident, with a few minutes left on his phone, he called to simply say, “I love you, Mom, and miss you guys. I want to come home.” May all of you who knew Juan, keep his spirit, joy and laugher in your heart. He is free now to “kick it” in heaven with those who have gone before him. In honor of his life, give a hug and a little time to a child in need. Let them know the village cares.

J.C. was preceded in death by his father Dennis Holden, his Holden grandparents, and later by his uncles Murphy and Mike, Aunt Susie, and dear grandma Jaybird.

He is survived by his sisters Erin and Jennifer, brothers Sean and Robbie, niece Autumn and nephew Thomas, and mother Marion, of Martin City; stepfather Dana Buckland, of Kiowa; and the extended Foley family and Holden cousins.

A celebration of J.C.’s life will be held at his school, Canyon Elementary, in Hungry Horse on Jan. 4, 2014. at 2 p.m. Lunch will follow.

Donations can be made in his name to the Glacier Boys and Girls Club, 540 Fourth Avenue West, Columbia Falls MT 59912.