KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – At 10 p.m. on Aug. 1, 2016, with his wife and daughter by his side at home, the world lost a great man. Juan Erquiaga, 86, slipped away peacefully in his sleep with a set of driving lines in his hands.

Juan was born in Denio, Nev., on Feb. 5, 1930, to Modesto and Mollie Erquiaga.

He attended Palo Alto Military Academy as a boy and later moved to Lake County with his mother, graduating from Kelseyville High School in 1949. He joined the Air Force and was stationed in Las Vegas for the next 4 years.

In 1955, Juan married Mary Carol Innes of Lakeport and they moved to his ranch in Kelseyville. He attended Santa Rosa Junior College, later obtained his General Engineering Contractor License and started his business in heavy equipment earth moving construction.

Horses were always his passion. He was a beloved friend and mentor to countless people in the horse community.

Juan is survived by his wife, Carol; sister, Alice (Richard) Baumsteiger; son, Mark (Jeanine) Erquiaga; daughter, Kate Erquiaga; grandsons, Justin (Misty) Newton, Marcus Erquiaga, Johnathon (Dreamer) Newton, Ryan Erquiaga and Kenny Henninger; great grandsons, Justin Newton Jr., Connor Newton and one more on the way.

A memorial service will be held at Cole Creek Equestrian Center (Narley Dude Ranch) at 4965 Steelhead Lane in Kelseyville at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 6.

Donations can be made in Juan's memory to the Lake County Passion Play, c/o Father Ryan, 2955 Bell Hill Road, Kelseyville, CA 95451.

For further information please contact Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary at 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611 or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com .