Adriano G. Valdez, peacefully stepped into Heaven on February 6, 2026. This was exactly 3 years and 3 days after his beloved wife of 62 years, Valeria, had departed. We think he wanted to celebrate an early Valentine’s Day! His children and grandchildren were with him throughout the day to pray with him, talk to him and lovingly let him move on to be with Jesus and all his family and friends who had gone on before him.

Adriano was born on September 6, 1936, to Antonio and Vicentita Valdez in Cebolla, NM, where he grew up and attended school. He enlisted in the United States Air Force and proudly served his country from September 1954 to September 1958. He then worked with the NM Highway Department for 25 years. After retiring from the highway department, he started his own surveying business, Valdez Surveying. Throughout his lifetime, he had various jobs. He served Rio Arriba County in the capacity of Rio Arriba County Surveyor, was an E.M.T for La Clinica del Pueblo and he also served on the clinic board of directors. He was actively involved in serving the community of Canjilon as a comicionado for the different acequias and served on the water association board. He and Valeria also served as mayordomos for the Catholic Church. He was instrumental in starting the historical restoration/renovation of the old church in Canjilon.

He enjoyed ranching, fishing, hunting and eating Payday and Butterfinger candy bars with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He also loved bubble gum. He had many hobbies but especially loved playing the bygone card game of conquian, which is a Spanish form of rummy. Other hobbies included riding his horses Mora, Palomino and Tonto. He enjoyed traveling and gambling in Las Vegas, NV. He loved making red chile and eating. For 36 years, he devoted much of his time to his grandson, Augustine, whom he loved with all his heart.

During his life, Adriano made many friends and there were many people who helped him along the way. Thank you to Dr. Levi Maes and the staff at La Clinica del Pueblo for their compassionate care, his buddies at El Cuerno for fun card games, and Marty and the staff at Bear Canyon Estates in Albuquerque where he resided for the past two years. A very heartfelt thanks to Cindy and all the staff at the Village Inn on Menaul and Wyoming in Albuquerque. Cindy, Gus, Valeria and Adriano had been friends for 16 years. She is an excellent waitress. She served Gus, Adriano and Valeria with love, kindness and patience. A profound thanks to the family of Wayne Pettry. Adriano and Wayne were U.S. Air Force comrades. Their friendship was lifelong. The two families continue this friendship. Wayne’s daughter Stacey stayed in touch and Adriano always said Stacey was a daughter to him. Special thanks to Pancho and Angela Sandoval. They visited him often, made him peanut brittle and sweets and took him to doctor’s appointments.

Adriano was preceded in death by his parents; Antonio and Vicentita Valdez, mother and father in law Maria Ines and Luis Montano; sister Mary and husband Ike, sisters Domitila and Edwina; brother Antonio A. Valdez; granddaughter Ernestina Archuleta; nephews Tony Valdez, Carlos Martinez and brother in law Bobby Casados. He will be deeply missed by his brother Arturo Valdez and family, many nieces, nephews and friends.

Whether you called him Dad, Grampa Dude, Gramps, Primo, Tio, Mr. Valdez, Vecino or Amigo, know that he had a place in his heart for you. He will be greatly missed by his 5 children, 12 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.

Lenora: Antonia (Davi) and Ava; Angelica (Chris) and Lorenzo

Lucrecia (Donny): Lucas (Heather) and Juliana; Gussie

Adriano Jr: Francisco (who is currently serving in the National Guard overseas); Juan Carlos

Andrew (Lorrie) : Tanner; Anole, Alei and AJ; Mia; Anthony

Rosana: Sonia (Carly); Mikayla

He also had a special niece and her family; Carmela (Albert): Mariah; Kiera

Serving as pallbearers will be:

Lucas Martinez, Juan Carlos Valdez, Tanner Jacob, Albert Armijo, Forest Johnson, Matt Pacheco, Albert Valdez and Pancho Sandoval.

Honorary pallbearers are his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Thank you to all family and friends for your support via prayers, visits, food, phone calls, cards and texts. You are all loved and appreciated!

Vaya con Dios Padre Querido, Grampa Dude, Hermano y Amigo!

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Children’s Cancer Fund of New Mexico. ccfnm.org

A Rosary will take place on Thursday, February 12, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. at the Canjilon Catholic Church and a Mass on Friday, Febuary 13, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at the Canjilon Catholic Church and burial to follow at the Canjilon Cemetery.

The family of Adriano Gusman Valdez has entrusted the care of their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home.