On May 16, 2025, a powerful tornado struck the city of St. Louis, Missouri, leaving in its wake a trail of destruction, multiple injuries and at least five fatalities, including Juan Baltazar, a beloved member of the Latino community.
Juan, a father of seven children, lost his life when a huge tree was blown down by strong winds and fell on his truck in the Carondelet neighborhood, just as he was returning home from work. At the time, he was trying to join his young children. The impact was fatal.
Exemplary father, loved by all
Buzzy
Juan Baltazar was widely recognized for his generous spirit, his closeness to the community and for his corn cart, called El Mandilón.
He was a regular at festivals and shopping areas in St. Louis.
Three of his children live in the U.S. and four live in Mexico.
For many, his legacy goes beyond the family: he was synonymous with joy, hard work and friendship.
His wife Rachel, now a widow, faces not only the pain of losing her husband, but also a critical financial situation.
As a mother of two young children, she must now single-handedly maintain the home they had just purchased.
This as he searches for a way to explain to his six-year-old daughter and three-year-old son that their dad is not coming back.
Support campaigns
Two fundraising campaigns have been organized through GoFundMe:
One aimed at helping Rachel and the young children, and the other focused on providing support to Juan Baltazar’s older children, who are also coping with this loss from different places.
In the words of a close relative:
“Juan was the kind of person who would become friends with anyone”.
His passing has left a deep void in his family and throughtout the Latino community of St. Louis
Familar de Juan Baltazar
The proceeds will be used to cover funeral expenses, outstanding housing payments and other basic needs.
While Rachel reorganizes her life as a widowed mother of a large family.
For more information, visit QuéOnnda.com.
