Elias F. Valdez

Elias F. Valdez, 84, a long-time resident of La Villita, went to his eternal home with our Lord and Savior on Monday, August 29, 2022 with his family by his side, following a long-time illness. Elias was born to Cruzita and Cornelio Valdez on April 16, 1938. Elias is now reunited with those who have passed before him: parents, Cruzita and Cornelio Valdez; sisters, Criselda Trujillo (Phil Valdez, Julian Trujillo), Edumenia Martinez (Jose Hilario), Frutosa Dupree (Fred), and Mary Garcia (Gilbert); brothers, Miguel Valdez, Richard Valdez, Floyd Valdez (Viola), and Rosinaldo Valdez and brother-in-law Joe Martinez.

Elias’s deep love of God, family, and friends is what he treasured most. He often said “I love you very very much.” Elias will be dearly missed by all his family and friends.  Elias was a Eucharistic Minister and especially loved to go and pray the rosary before mass on Saturday evenings until he was unable to do so. He was also a Member of the Knights of Columbus.  Elias loved to travel all over the United States, especially Daytona, Florida and abroad, he visited Medjugorje, Rome, Lourdes France, and Paris with his daughter Kathy; he did many Pilgrimages with his wife and fellow parishioners to Rome, Portugal, Mexico, and Jerusalem, his favorite destination was Jerusalem where he was able to retrace the footsteps of Jesus.  Elias dedicated thirty-four years of service to Los Alamos National Laboratory, starting as a Custodian and a Laborer with Zia Company in 1962 and retiring as a Teamster Trucker Driver Foreman in 1996. He was a very hard working and dedicated man.

Elias is survived by his wife of 63 years, Gloria Valdez, 2 daughters Kathy Valdez (Earl) and Sadie VandenBusch (Steve), 4 grandchildren Adrian Valdez (Camille), Melissa Aragon (Derrick), Tanya VandenBusch (Carlos Valdez), Steven VandenBusch (Amberly), 10 great-grandchildren Evie, David, and Stephanie Valdez, Lillianna, Arianna, Gabriel, and Elianna Aragon, Jocelyn Valdez, Neveah Salazar and Peyton VandenBusch; his adopted daughter, Virginia Romero (Robert), adopted granddaughter, Tammy Lopez (Bobby), adopted daughter, Geraldine Shaw (Rick); his siblings Alfonso Valdez (Rachel), Alisandra Martinez, Clyde Valdez (Lucille), Ruben Valdez (Juanita), David Valdez (Grace), Irene Valdez; sisters-in-laws Jenny, Angie and Teresita Valdez, and many other cherished loving relatives and friends.

 A public visitation will take place in the Sangre de Cristo Chapel of DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory on Thursday September 8, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. with the most holy rosary to follow at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Friday September 9, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at the St. John the Baptist Church in San Juan Pueblo, Burial to follow at the La Villita Catholic Cemetery.

Serving the family as pallbearers are Adrian Valdez, Steven VandenBusch, Derrick Aragon, Carlos Valdez and his Godchildren, Marvin Salazar, Robert Sanchez, David Maez, and Eric Joseph Chavez. Honorary pallbearers will be his son-in-laws, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, adopted grandchildren, and Godchildren, Michael John Valdez, Clinton Valdez, Patrick Serrano, Juanita Valdez, Allison Cripps, Raylyne Quintana, and Andrea Baca.

Elias’s family would like to thank his Giving Home Health Care caregivers and especially his nurse/adopted daughter Brittney Sandoval (Frank; adopted grandchildren, Bella and Xander), for her continued and loving support for the past 9 years and adding to his quality of life. The family sends special thanks and most heartfelt gratitude to friends and family for the loving outpour of visits, phone calls, food, emotional support, and loving prayers. The family would also like to express gratitude for the heartfelt condolences received.
In his honor, please send any contributions to St Jude’s Children Research Hospital at https://www.stjude.org/give.html (Ways to Give/Memorial Giving/Send a Memorial Card), 1-800-805-5856, or mail to: ALSAC/St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or to the Carmelite Monastery at 49 Mt. Carmel Rd, Santa Fe, NM 87505.
The family of Elias Valdez has entrusted their loved one to the DeVargas Funeral Home and Crematory Services of Espanola, NM 505-747-7477.