Lelande D. Valdez, a resident of Lyden, New Mexico, left us on March 11, 2026, at the age of 73 to be with Our Heavenly Father.

Lelande was preceded in death by his father, Ben Valdez, mother, Lorraine Valdez, and nephew Angelo Montoya.

Lelande is survived by his son Leland B. Valdez Jr., his granddaughters Samantha Valdez and her daughter Amaya Cohen, Elizabeth (Mason) Barney, and Mia Valdez, brother Philip (Joanna) Valdez, sister Evelyn (Juan) Esquibel, sister Prescilla Valdez, nieces Amanda Valdez and her son Mariano, Felicia Maestas and her daughter Destiny and son Dennis and a close cousin Christopher Valdez. He is survived also by many aunts, uncles and cousins and his pet cat Lucky.

Scheduled Services:

Catholic Mass March 30, 2026 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, Velarde, NM

Rosary at 10:00 am followed by Mass at 11:00 am.

Honorary pallbearers are Destiny Maestas, Christopher Valdez, David Valdez, Jose Adel Valdez, Mariano Valdez and Dennis Maestas.

The family of Lelande Valdez has entrusted the care of their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the beautiful Espanola Valley. 505-747-7477