Lorenzo Valdez

Lorenzo Valdez, 67, a resident of Ranchitos, passed away Sunday, May 3, 2015 after a brief illness. Lorenzo was a beloved father, husband, brother, friend, uncle, mentor and advisor. He was an avid hunter, fisherman, rancher, steward of the land and modern Renaissance man. Lorenzo served as a wildland firefighter with the Little Tujunga Hotshot Crew in the Angeles National Forest during his youth. Lorenzo dedicated his life to advocacy for his beloved homeland, Northern New Mexico, and its people, land, water, and culture through fifteen years of service as Rio Arriba County Manager, service on the Federal Advisory Committee for the U.S. Forest Service Rule Planning, service on the board of the Youngsville Cattlemen Association and participation in various academic and social justice organizations. Raised by his uncles, Vito Valdez, Lorenzo spent most of his childhood in Cañones, Youngsville, and the mountains surrounding Cerro Pedernal. Lorenzo is preceded in death by grandfather, Belarmino Valdez; mother, Ramona Valdez; nephew, Michael Valdez; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Antonio and Eulalia Borrego; close cousin, Belarmino “A.B.” Valdez; and brothers-in law, Leon Sanchez and Clarence Borrego. Lorenzo is survived by his beloved wife of 38 years, Maria Lourdes Valdez; son, Mariano Valdez; daughter Cristella Valdez, brothers, Bobby Valdez (Laura) and Leroy Valdez (Stella); sisters, Vera Valdez (Richard), Diana Quintana (James), Bernie Sanchez (Gilbert), and Janet Sanchez; godson and nephew, Fabian Valdez; nieces, Sobie, Patricia, Candie, Felice, and Anna; grandnieces, Mariah, Brianna, Amaris, and Mireya; and nephews, Christopher, Justin, Fabian, Anthony Baker and family. Public visitation will begin on Wednesday, May 6, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Ohkay Owingeh, with a rosary to be recited at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Thursday, May 7, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, with a private burial to be held at a later date. Serving the family as pallbearers are Fabian Valdez, Justin Valdez, Christopher Quintana, Abel Valdez, Eric Valdez, Brandon Bustos, John Ramon Vigil, and Andrew Valdez, honorary pallbearers named are Carmen (Chispa) Bustos, Albert Barros, Leroy Baros, Leroy “Lee” Martinez, Oliver Martinez, and Ruben Bustos. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the New Mexico Acequia Association or charity of your choice. The family of Lorenzo Valdez has entrusted the care of their loved one to the DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Española Valley.

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