Jose Valdez

JOSE A. (JOE) VALDEZ, 88,  a lifelong resident of Espanola (Riverside) passed away with his wife Candie and son Raymond by his side on Wednesday, March 17, 2021. Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Bernabe and Olivama Valdez and brother Ben Valdez and four sisters, Mela Montoya, Timia Archuleta, Marie Lujan, and Angie Corlis.

He truly lived his life to the fullest and was very successful in every thing he did. Joe was born October 15, 1932 to Bernabe and Olivama Valdez and grew up in Lyden. At the age of 17 he enlisted in the U.S. Army and made it a career (23 years). After his retirement from the Arm, He processed meat (Valdez Meat Cutting). He then established his successful Valdez Refrigeration and Appliance repair which he ran for 20 years.

Joe was a beautiful and compassionate man. He was always helping others and was truly amazing. Family meant the world to him. He loved his beautiful wife Candie and Raymond and would do anything for them. He also had so much love for his brothers and sisters. Joe is survived by his wife Candie; son, Raymond; brothers, Herman (Loretta) Valdez, Eluid (Irene) Valdez, and Horace (Dora) Valdez, sisters, Susie (Eppie) Salazar and Betty Valdez, a special niece Gloria Lynn Smith and special sister-in-law, Josie Gullien, and many other nephews and nieces.

A rosary will be held followed by a mass on Wednesday, March 24, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. at La Igesia de Santa Cruz de la Canada. Burial will be held on Thursday, March 25, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. at Santa Fe National Cemetery. Serving the family as pallbearers are Steven Mondragon, Jose Valarde, Mildred Garcia, Phillip Valdez, Richard (Richie) Guillen and Michael Rendon. The family of Jose A. (Joe) Valdez has entrusted the care of their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Espanola Valley. 505-747-7477-www.devargasfuneral.com