Benito J. Age - 77 - Pojoaque Valdez

Benito J. Valdez, 77, a resident of Pojoaque passed away of natural causes on Thursday, December 29, 2011. Benito retired from Los Alamos County. He was a devoted Catholic and proud member of Sagrado Corazon de Jesus and president for 30 years for Acequia Larga in Pojoaque. In his spare time he was an avid carpenter also an active volunteer in his community. Benito was preceded in death by his parents, Valentin and Eva Valdez; brothers-in-law: Juan and Isaac Garcia, Lucas Duran and Andy Sanchez; sisters-in-law: Mary Montgomery and Julie Garcia. Benito is survived by his wife of 52 years, Grace G. Valdez; daughters: Darlene Valdez Gallegos (Arsenio), Laureen Valdez (Alec Mottershead); sons: Dennis Valdez and Patrick Valdez (Kathy); sisters: Maria Espinoza (Luben), Gregoria Tafoya (Joe N.), Erma Lujan (Joe), Mela Sanchez, Filia Duran, Corrine Ortiz (Joe) and Doretta Rodriguez; brothers: Jose A.Valdez (Tessie), Michael Valdez (Teresita); grandchildren: Delaine and Amanda Mottershead, Matthew Salazar, Andrew Salazar and fiancé Amanda, and Alana Culverson; great-grandson, Joshua “Ben” Salazar; step-grandchildren: Shannon and Pierce Gallegos, Jerry Lee and Michael Gutierrez; sisters-in-law: Dorothy Garcia (Bill), Evangelene Jaramillo (Lawrence), Virginia and Liz Garcia; brother-in-law, Eugene Garcia (Esther); numerous nieces, nephews and other loving relatives and friends. Public visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 3, 2012 at 5:30 p.m. at Sagrado Corazon in Nambe with a rosary to follow at 6:30 p.m. A second rosary will be recited on Wednesday, January 4, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Pojoaque with funeral to follow at 11:00 a.m. with burial to follow at Nambe Catholic Cemetery with the following serving as pallbearers: Chris Espinoza, Arsenio Gallegos, Brent Jaramillo, Alec Mottershead, Michael Valdez, Jr. and George Sanchez. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be: all of the members of the Sagrado Corazon de Jesus, all his grandchildren and great-grandson, Joshua Ben Salazar. The family of Benito Valdez has entrusted the care of their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Española Valley. 505-747-7477

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