Michael Valdez

Michael Valdez, 71, a resident of El Llano, passed away on Saturday, June 16, 2018 with his family by his side. Michael was preceded in death by his parents, Valentine and Eva Valdez; siblings Benito Valdez (Grace) and Maria Espinoza (Lubin); brothers-in-law, Andy Sanchez, Lucas Duran and Alex Salazar; father-in-law, Andres Salazar; sister-in-law, Patricia Lewis and other nephews and nieces. Michael was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather who loved his family dearly. He was a hardworking man who loved the outdoors, camping, fishing and hunting. He was a jack of all trades and there was nothing he wouldn’t try doing on his own. He will be greatly missed. Michael is survived by his wife of 52 years, Teresita “Terry” Valdez; children, Henrietta Valdez and Michael Valdez (Crystal Garcia); grandchildren, John and Tim Martinez, Santana, Mario and Mateo Valdez and Kaiden Garcia; great-grandson, Adam Martinez; mother-in-law, Grace Salazar; siblings, Antonio Valdez (Tessie), Lola Tafoya (Jojo), Mela Sanchez, Felia Duran, Corrina Ortiz (Jose Ramon), Ermalinda Lujan (Joe) and Doretta Rodriguez; in-laws, Sammy Salazar (Shirley), Rosemary Rivera, Romanita Salazar and many other nieces, nephews and relatives. Public visitation will begin on Thursday, June 21, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. in the Sangre de Cristo Chapel of DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory with a rosary to be recited at 7:00 p.m. Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Friday, June 22, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. at La Iglesia de Santa Cruz de la Cañada in Santa Cruz with burial to follow at the Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery. Serving the family as pallbearers will be all his grandchildren. The family of Michael Valdez has entrusted the care of their loved one to the DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Española Valley.