Joseph Valdez Sr.

Joseph Valdez, Sr.

Joseph Valdez, Sr. 66, of Espanola, New Mexico passed away peacefully on October 30, 2021. He was born on January 10, 1955 to Leo Valdez and Martha Chacon.

Joseph grew up in Penasco, NM and enjoyed working and playing in the outdoors. He plowed, planted, and cultivated the garden which helped sustain his family. He enjoyed working with and riding horses. He enjoyed hunting and fishing in the many mountainous areas above his family home. Eventually, he left the mountains he loved and enlisted in the US Navy.

Joseph was a dedicated, career military man, serving in both the US Navy and the US Army. He served in Iraq in 2009 and 2010. Upon his return, he continued to serve in the New Mexico National Guard until his retirement in 2014.

He then decided to complete a degree he had begun earlier in his life, completing a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration in 2019.

With degree in hand, he proceeded to run his own self-sustaining cattle business. He planted, irrigated, and baled hay; mended fences, and bought, sold, and traded cattle. His business brought him great joy and pride.

He was a man of faith who prayed constantly and was never without the rosary he wore throughout his tour in Iraq and every day thereafter. He was a generous man. He helped everyone and would give the shirt off his back as well as the products yielded from his ranch. He had many friends who held him in the highest esteem.

He is survived by his partner Rose-Ellen Garcia, son Joseph Valdez, Jr.; sisters Barbara Lopez (Tom), Dolores Mecham (John), Ramona Lovato (Emery), Connie Selph (Mark), and Tara Chacon (Lorenzo); brothers Juan Chacon (Roxane), and Anthony Chacon as well as many loving family members and friends.

A rosary will take place on November 5^th at 10:30 AM with mass to follow at 11:30 AM at Holy Cross Church. Military Funeral Honors will take place on November 18 at the Santa Fe National Cemetery.

The family of Jose “Joseph” Valdez has entrusted the care of their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the beautiful Espanola Valley.  www.devargasfuneral.com   (505) 747-7477