Gilbert L. Figueroa of Blythe, California passed on August 2, 2022, after a valiant but short battle with cancer. He was born to Danuario and Alice Figueroa. Gilbert graduated from Palo Verde High School in Blythe, California and attended California State University San Bernardino in San Bernardino, California.

His family roots cover many generations of living and working in Blythe and Gilbert was no exception. His first job was making treks with his brother and cousins to the Little Maria mountains to work in the "ROCK" to mine for drift stone. The work was arduous and helped develop his physical and inner strength. Gilbert also spent 33 years as a Letter Carrier, primarily from the Blythe station. He enjoyed delivering mail to many of the local community members and also shared his magic tricks with many of their children. Gilbert served as the Union Job Steward, working to resolve grievances and provide equity in the workplace. He did not have to worry about rain nor sleet nor dead of night, as he delivered mail through Blythe's blistering temperatures.

Gilbert had two great loves in his life; his wife Lorraine and juggling. The two met in Fresno, California while Gilbert was working with an after-school reading program. The couple were married less than two years later and their union lasted for 45 years.

Gilbert's interest in juggling began as a young boy. As he watched the Ed Sullivan show with his family, he was influenced by the jugglers of the time. Many of Gilbert and Lorraine's vacations were spent traveling to juggling festivals and conventions, yes juggling conventions, held in small and medium sized cities across the country. They enjoyed meeting the "locals", trying cultural foods and seeing the tourist sites. Gilbert won many awards for his juggling, and from birthday parties to major events, he brought joy to the faces of the youngest toddler to the oldest centenarian. He performed in a variety of venues and street fairs in Fresno, Riverside, Redlands, Palm Desert, Palm Springs, Indio, Coachella, Brawley, Mecca and, of course, Blythe. Gilbert thrilled the audience during his performance at the University of California, Riverside Noche Cultural when he rode his six-foot giraffe unicycle while juggling fire torches on stage. In 2011, Gilbert was the highlight of the Indio Workforce Development's submission of a circus calliope as part of Palm Desert's golf cart parade. His juggling helped snag them the first place Judges Trophy. Gilbert also enjoyed performing at the Indio International Tamale Festival for the last 16 years. He entertained visitors with his juggling skills while balancing a pole on his forehead topped with a tamale pan, chair and/or multi-ball mobile. Gilbert's last performance was at the Colorado River Fair in Blythe. He was a juggler at the Fair for many years and enjoyed entertaining in his home town for visitors, family and friends. Gilbert joined the International Juggler's Association in 1985 and practiced their motto; "To render assistance to fellow jugglers". He lived this motto by sharing his juggling technique and skills with other jugglers, as well as, teaching basic juggling to interested street fair attendees.

Gilbert was preceded in death by his father, Danuario Figueroa. Gilbert is survived by his wife Lorraine Figueroa, his mother Alice Figueroa, brother Danuario (Sandra) Figueroa, and sister Rebecca (Bobby) Aguirre. He has many nephews, nieces, in-laws, aunts, uncles and cousins who will also miss Gilbert.

In lieu of flowers or financial tributes, the family asks that you please only memorialize Gilbert in your heart. The family thanks you for your condolences, thoughts and prayers for his passing.

A celebration of life will be held for Gilbert at Frye Chapel, 633 North 7th Street, Blythe, California on Thursday, October 20, 2022, at 6:00PM – 8:00PM and a funeral mass at the St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 875 East Chanslor Way, Blythe, California on Friday, October 21, 2022, at 10:00AM.