Robert Valdez

ROBERT VALDEZ, 70, a resident of Española, passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 29, 2018 following a courageous battle with cancer. He was preceded in death by his parents, Carlos and Manuelita Valdez; brother, Phil Valdez; brother-in-law, Martin Martinez and nephews, Dominic Martinez and Adam Ortiz. Robert served in the US Army in the early 1970’s. He retired from the Los Alamos National Laboratory after 34 years as a machinist. He loved hunting, fishing, football, genealogy and volunteering throughout the community in different capacities such as; Little League in Pojoaque for 18 years, as the Pojoaque High School Football team statistician for 16 years, the San Martin de Porres Soup Kitchen, the Sacred Heart Catholic Church Bingo Charity, and especially in the New Mexico State Archive Center for 8 years. Mr. Valdez is survived by his wife of 39 years, Yolanda Valdez; children, Diego Valdez and Sarita Goodwin (Geraldo); siblings, Josie Valdez (Floyd) Patricia, and Michael Valdez (Patricia); brother-in-law, Tony Ortiz (Pita); sister-in-law, Linda Gonzales (Leo), Darlene Rowe (Geoffrey), Annette Peters (Mark), and Jeanelle Kious (Tom); grandchildren, Isaiah Valdez, Alorah, Ethan, Grace, and Ophelia Goodwin; 9 nephews; 4 nieces. Robert will always be remembered for his generous heart, joyful disposition, and magnetic personality. Public visitation will begin on Monday, January 7, 2019 at 6:30 p.m. at La Iglesia de Santa Cruz de la Canada in Santa Cruz, with a rosary to be recited at 7:30 p.m. Memorial mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, January 8, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. also at the Holy Cross Catholic Church in Santa Cruz. Burial to follow at 2:15 p.m. at the Santa Fe National Cemetery with the following serving as pallbearers; Isaiah Valdez, Emery Martinez, Geraldo Goodwin, Christopher Martinez, Benjamin Kious, Francisco Gonzales, Jesse Peters, John Ortiz, and Christopher Rowe. The family of Robert Valdez has entrusted their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Española Valley. 505-747-7477 – www.devargasfuneral.com