John Huerta, Jr.

John Huerta Jr., 1964 - 2021
John Huerta Jr, one of the world's most inquisitive minds, came shining into the world on an early winter afternoon, November 22, 1964. From a young age John expressed an aptitude for art that began during Kindergarten using chocolate pudding as a medium, and grew into sketches of helicopters, dinosaurs, and anything else he found fascinating. An elementary teacher suggested that John try art school, so at the age of 10, John's mom and sisters gallantly accompanied him to classes at the University of Utah where his talent transformed into the passion he would pursue for the duration of his life.
John won awards for his artwork during Junior High and High School. He also designed a Christmas card in college at Utah State University that was displayed in one of the buildings on campus for many years. After a brief hiatus from painting caused by excessive adulting, John resumed his brilliant strokes and found bliss standing in the middle of fields, fighting off bugs and cows, where he painted the delights of nature. His favorite subjects were trees. In addition to art, John was an accomplished guitarist and craftsman. He could build anything that he could design in his mind. He also loved spending time with his family, chess, graphic design, guitars of all kinds, hiking, and concerts (The Flaming Lips, Rush, and George Winston have lost their biggest fan).
John was a media design instructor at Ogden-Weber Technical College for twenty years. During his time there he loved helping his students develop their talents and was proud when they found related careers. He was dedicated to his job and spent countless hours refining his skills so that he could teach his students the newest technology, which seemed to advance every few months. He was the most honored when some of his students were later able to teach alongside him.
John was a blessed son, a cherished brother, a loving husband, a doting father, and a celebrated Papa. He was preceded in death by his father, John Huerta Sr. He is survived by his enamored and devastated wife, Charlesa Byrd; his precocious daughters, Ashley "Noggin" Foust (Brand), Auriana "Beanie" Byrd (Jon), Abigail "Nugget" Byrd (Alex) and his tender grandchildren Meliara, Nova, and Rillian Foust. He is also survived by his beautiful mother, Carol F. Huerta; his adoring sisters Carol Ann Huerta, Andrea Huerta (Jon), and Terrie Huerta; his devoted nieces Patience, Therese, Alysia, Jasmine, Portia, and Dilana along with seven great nieces and six great nephews who are all bereft to have lost their darling John to a rare form of cancer, leiomyosarcoma, on March 11, 2021.
John was a quiet soul with a loud laugh who blessed all those whose lives he touched and the family is tremendously grateful for the outpouring of love they have received on his behalf. As he was not a fan of funerals, we are having a small gathering for him under one of his favorite trees. In lieu of flowers, John would be best commemorated with the partaking of a margarita or a chimichanga. If those options are not available, a tree planted in his honor would expand his legacy and would truly delight him.