Julio Cesar Luna

November 19, 1949 – May 13, 2021

Julio Cesar Luna passed peacefully on May 13, 2021, due to complications from cancer. He was born Nov. 19, 1949, in Lima, Peru, to Pablo Luna and Rosa Ulffe de Luna. He was the fourth of six children.

On Feb. 22, 1958, Julio had an accident where he lost two of his brothers and a sister. Julio had to have his leg amputated and he required a prosthetic leg for the rest of his life.

He joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1963. He became close friends with a missionary, and eventually came to Moses Lake, Washington, to live with the missionary’s family. He attended Big Bend Community College and Brigham Young University and eventually went on his own mission to California. When that mission was over, he flew back down to Lima.

He met and married Alina Borja civilly in Lima, and then they were sealed in the Washington, D.C., temple. They raised five children: Crisdee LuDeen, Adam, Lani, Nalu and Maximo Eduardo.

While in Lima he was a well-known teacher of English at the U.S. Embassy, Ricardo Palma University, the Police Academy, La Catolica University and ICPNA. Everybody loved “Teacher Luna.” Julio had a passion for woodworking and he could make anything from scratch. He loved to teach and work with wood.

Julio held many church leadership positions, and he worked hard with the youth of his Maranga Ward, where he served in the bishopric for many years. He was a great strength to the growth of the church in Lima.

The family decided to immigrate to the United States in the year 2000. While in Moses Lake, he was a branch president and mission leader and enjoyed working with the youth as well. Julio was an inspiration to many people; he always had a smile on his face and a happy attitude.

Up to retirement, he worked at Easy Home Furnishings as a salesperson where he was able to know many people; he never lost an opportunity to talk about the Gospel.

He Loved the Lord first always and had a strong testimony of him. Julio was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2015 and pancreatic cancer in 2020. He never once complained; he was always grateful for all of his trials and tribulations.

Julio was preceded in death by his father and mother, his brothers Pablo, Ismael and Lorenzo and his sister Marielena. He is survived by his sister Rosa of Lima, Peru; the love of his life Alina; his daughter Crisdee (Raul) and grandkids Keera and Kaeden; his son Adam (Heather) and grandkids Alana, Diego, Leila and Dahlia; his daughter Lani (Gilmer) and grandkids Christian, Anaya and Jace; daughter Nalu and his son Max (Anna) and grandkids Leo, Nico, Sam and Mateo and many friends and family that loved him so very much.

His funeral will be at the Latter-day Saints church on Nelson Road, Saturday, May 22, viewing at 10 a.m., funeral at 11 a.m. It will also be broadcast via Zoom for those who cannot attend.

Please express your thoughts and memories at www.kayserschapel.com. Arrangements are under the care of Kayser’s Chapel of Memories of Moses Lake, Washington.