Julian J. Miranda

Julian Juan Rogelio Miranda Lopez passed away peacefully on February 19, 2023, after battling stomach cancer. Julian Miranda was born in Verona, Italy, on May 22, 1957, to Julian and Keryma Miranda. After Keryma and Julian had 15 miscarriages before Julian was born, the whole town welcomed and celebrated him with open arms. The Miranda family traveled the world while his father worked for the copper mines, eventually settling in Los Andes, Chile, where Julian lived until he was 32 years old. Prior to coming to the United States, he played soccer professionally, worked as a truck driver, and was a mechanic.  Julian loved to learn new things, including languages, and he was fluent in English, Spanish, Italian, French, and Portuguese.

Julian came to the United States only for a vacation, where he met and fell in love with Wanita Andrea Syverson. He decided to stay in the U.S.  They were married in Boca Raton, Florida, in 1991.  Julian started his venture here by peeling potatoes in an Italian restaurant, doing mechanic jobs on the side for friends, and helping his friend Eduardo Perez, installing tile and doing home improvements for Eduardo’s business, Letelier Home Improvements.  He then worked at “Boca Raton Auto”, an auto body shop. Julian also drove a limousine for the owners of the business.  Julian and Wanita Miranda had a son, Stefano Julian Miranda, on August 3, 1994.  Stefano was Julian’s pride and joy, and he was an amazing father.  Their family moved to Minnesota to help Wanita’s father during cancer treatments.  Julian started working as a semi driver for his father in-law, who contracted with Roadway Package System, and shortly thereafter became a contractor himself with RPS and subsequently FedEx Ground.  Trucking has always been Julian’s passion.  He worked on trucks and drove trucks in Chile, where he learned to maneuver treacherous terrain such as mountains, snow, and narrow, underdeveloped roads.  During his 30 years with FedEx, Julian, with his unprecedented work ethic, grew his company, “Julian Miranda Trucking, Inc.,” from one truck to fourteen trucks leased to FedEx. He considered employing drivers a great responsibility and cared deeply for his Fedex family. Proud to be a professional driver, Julian had mad skills maneuvering and driving semi trucks and trailers, pulling doubles and triples.  He participated in the MN State Truck Driving Championships, the National Truck Driving Championships, and the FedEx Rodeos for many years. When he wasn't competing, he was selected to be an interpreter in the North American Inspectors Competition for the French Canadian inspector competitors.

Julian was incredibly skilled in a variety of trades, including diesel mechanics, auto body work, handyman work, and home remodeling. He liked working in his shop, playing soccer, ping pong, and the piano when he wasn't working, and accessorizing his trucks. Julian was always willing to lend a hand or provide resources to those in need.

Julian was preceded in death by his mother, Keryma Berta Miranda Lopez.

Julian is survived by his son Stefano Miranda of Litchfield, Minnesota, his father Julian Miranda Contreras, his brothers Yuri Daniel Miranda Lopez and David Julian Miranda Lopez, as well as a large number of nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews who all reside in the Los Andes region of Chile.

We will cherish and remember Julian's diligence, tenacity, empathy, generosity, kindness, and love.