Juan Antonio Yanes

Juan Antonio Yanes went home to his Lord on May 13, 2024, after a long and brave battle with younger-onset Alzheimer’s. Juan was born in Santa Clara, Cuba, on April 13, 1962. He immigrated to the United States at the age of 3 with his parents and brother, Al. Growing up in Miami, Florida, he pursued his passions of baseball, track, math and chess, excelling in high school athletics as well as school leadership. One of his favorite stories was the championship baseball game he played in Miami Stadium where he executed a triple play to win the game for his team. 

He went on to attend the University of Florida and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering. He followed his brother to IBM Tucson and began a lifelong career as an engineer and manager at IBM. During his career he achieved 11 patents (one in partnership with his brother), received numerous leadership, technical and managerial awards, and spearheaded the development of IBM’s XIV division in Israel. Working for IBM, Juan was able to travel the world visiting many places, among them England, Israel, China, Switzerland, Australia, and New Zealand.

Juan continued his athletic endeavors by taking up cycling, competing in multiple El Tours in which he won several platinum medals. He also competed in triathlons and marathons, including the New York Marathon and the 100th running of the Boston Marathon. He also enjoyed cheering for the University of Arizona sports teams with season tickets to football, men’s and women’s basketball, and softball. Juan traveled to many NCAA events with friends, including World Series softball championship in Oklahoma, and the 1997 NCAA men’s basketball championship in Indiana.

In 1988, he married Karen, the love of his life, and they settled in Tucson to raise their family. 

With his two children, Juan could be found hiking Mt Lemon, training for the El Tour, playing sports on the weekend, and cheering them on in athletic events and theatrical performances. He loved his children and supported them in all their many activities. 

Juan is survived by his wife, Karen; his daughter Kaitlyn and son-in-law Peter; his son Eric and daughter-in-law Megan; his brother Adalberto and sister-in-law Rebecca. He is preceded in death by his father Adalberto Yanes and his mother Lourdes Yanes.

Viewing will be held on May 17th at Bring’s Funeral Home on 6910 E. Broadway Blvd from 9 am to 11 am. Funeral mass will follow at St. Thomas of the Apostle at noon on Friday, May 17th.