Juan started his work ethic at a very young age, working with his father chopping mesquite and cactus for surrounding ranches, earning five cents a day. As a young married man he supported his family as a tasnique (sheep shearer) all across the U.S.A. He was part of a rare group of men known as Los Doscientos. These men could shear at least 200 sheep in a day without blemishes and were well known by ranchers. He later got a CDL and drove semi-trucks. He was also a mechanic.
When the oilfield slowed down, he began working for the City of Eldorado where he later retired. Juanio was the happiest when he was fishing or at the baseball field watching or coaching anything from the little league, pony league, womens softball and mens baseball. Nothing made him happier than hearing the distant sound of a home run being hit.
Being part of an amazing generation he was the eighth child of 10 siblings: Luz Moreno, Prudencia Belman, Paula Arispe, Jose Aguilar, Remigio Gauna, Juan Gauna, Olegario Gauna, Manuel Gauna and Juanita Gallegos.