Juan - Age 74 - Canjilon Valdez

JUAN VALDEZ “THE MAN IN BLACK”, 74, passed away on Saturday, August 25 in Canjilon, where he was born on May 25, 1938. He was preceded in death by his son, Vialquin Valdez; parents, Amarante and Filomena Valdez; mother and father-in-law, Moises and Benancia Atencio; brother, Elizardo Valdez; sister, Julia Lopez and uncle, Epifanio Miera. Juan was very proud of his recent publication of Trespassers On Our Own Land, an oral history about his family’s struggle to survive the taking of their land. He leaves behind a legacy of the true, proud New Mexican and family man, who against all odds stood up for his beliefs, his family and his land. Mr. Valdez is survived by his wife of nearly 50 years, Rosina Valdez; children, Juanita Montoya and husband Johnny of Canjilon, Deborah Ulibarri and husband Ted of Tierra Amarilla, Amarante Valdez and companion Becky of Canjilon, Luisa Valdez of Española, Reyes J. Valdez and companion Inez of Abiquiu, Tanya Valdez of Canjilon and Amada Valdez of Española; sisters, Eve Baldonado, Tina River and Gertrudes “Trudy” Portillo; brother, Antonio Valdez; grandson, Gilbert Valdez who was raised like a son; 21 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren and numerous other relatives and friends. Cremation is being planned. Funeral service will be held on Thursday, August 30, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at Victory Faith Church. The family of Juan Valdez “The Man in Black” has entrusted their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Española Valley.

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