David G Valdez

David Gregorio Valdez, a resident of Dixon, NM, entered into eternal rest Tuesday, July 23, 2024.

David was born in Dixon, New Mexico on July 21, 1939, to Jose N. Valdez and Floraida Atencio. He attended St. Anthony Catholic School, Dixon Elementary School and Northern New Mexico Normal High School in El Rito, New Mexico. David was active in baseball, basketball, football and track and lettered in all of them. He was selected to the Northern All-Star Basketball Team in 1958. Upon Graduation in 1958, he was awarded a sports scholarship and continued his education at St. Michaels College in Santa Fe. He then went to work at Los Alamos National Laboratory as a Biology Technician, Division Purchasing Agent and Radiation Materials Technician. After an early retirement from LANL, he attended Eastern New Mexico University where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting.  He then proceeded to attend the University of Minnesota where he earned a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice. David then worked for the State of New Mexico as a District Probation Officer until his permanent retirement.

David was preceded in death by his son Michael Valdez and grandson Nikki Valdez.

Surviving David is his companion of 46 years Evila Rendon, one son, Leonard Valdez and wife Josephine of Espanola. Three daughters, Lorraine Cisneros and husband Ramon of Utah, Cynthia Valdez-Salazar and husband Ed of Abiquiu and Marcia Valdez of Espanola. Two brothers, Joseph Valdez and wife Virginia of Dixon, Stan DuFour of the Villages, Florida, two sisters, Sandra Garret of Tampa, Florida, and Krista Trujillo and husband Norman of McKinney, Texas. Six grandchildren, Mariah and husband Luis, Jaden, Jose, Daniel, Denise and Austin. Nine great grandchildren. Two aunts, Frances Salazar of Espanola, Mary Atencio of Dixon and many other relatives and friends.

David was active as a Little League Coach in Espanola for several years, Board Member for the DMDWCA, President of the Acequia de La Plaza, Representative for the Dixon Senior Center, Committee Member for the Plaza de Dixon Preservation Association and Jemez Mountains Electric Co-op Board Member.  David enjoyed gardening, hunting and horseback riding. He will be greatly missed by all who loved him and knew him.

Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, August 9, 2024, at 11:00 AM at the St. Anthony Catholic Church in Dixon, NM. Burial will follow immediately at the Dixon Catholic Cemetery. 

The family of David Valdez has entrusted the care of their loved one to the DeVargas Funeral Home and Crematory of the Española Valley. 505-747-7477   www.devargasfuneral.com