Miguel Valdez

Miguel G. Valdez, surrounded by his family, died and went to be with his Heavenly Father on December 20th, 2013. He was born on February 10th 1929 in Garza Gonzalez, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, to Fernando and Manuelita Valdez. His youth was spent as a farm boy in his family’s namesake town, Garza Gonzalez. As a young man, he traveled with his family back and forth from Mexico to the United States securing work as farm laborers. On one of those farms in Texas, he met and later married in 1953, the proverbial American farmer’s daughter, Matilde Naranjo, in La Paloma, Texas. After their marriage, they traveled throughout Texas and on to Florida, Virginia and back across the United States to California. In 1955, they moved to Washington State and eventually settled in Wapato, Washington. They made their home there until his death. Dad was employed as a farm laborer his whole life, working on various farms up and down the Yakima Valley. The last 25 years of his employment were with Roth & Munson Orchards in Parker, WA. After his retirement, he enjoyed being with his children, grandchildren, and many nephews and nieces. He also enjoyed traveling back to Texas and Mexico, as well as to the Bellingham area. Gardening was a passion Dad enjoyed to the last days of his life, nurturing an abundance of tomatoes, cucumbers and garlic from the small plot of land that was the backyard. A master storyteller, Dad captivated his family and friends alike with his special attention to detail and his masterful use of the Spanish language would color the tale into a frenzied crescendo culminating in a roar of laughter from all present. Best of all were his “pearls of wisdom” dispensed at leisure to all who knew him. Dad will be fondly remembered as a loving father who was always willing to lend a hand or offer a word of encouragement. Dad will be missed more than words can describe. Miguel Valdez is survived by his wife of 60 years, Matilde, five sons; Rolando (Connie) Valdez of Denver, CO., Arnoldo Valdez, Adam (Julie) Valdez of Yakima, Wa., Mike (Darla) Valdez of Bellingham, WA., Robert Valdez of Oak Harbor, WA. and one daughter; Rosemary (Shon) Copeland of Yakima, WA. Dad also had 13 grandchildren: Miguel (Arin), Suzanna, Ramona, Edith, Paul and Philip Valdez, Cheyanna and Autumn Valdez, Samantha and Madeline Valdez and Caleb, Joshua and Catarina Copeland. He is also survived by one brother; Luis Valdez, of McAllen, TX., three sisters; Hilaria Valdez of McAllen, TX., Chanita Valdez and Basilisa De Leon of Wapato, WA. and numerous nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Evaristo, Abdon, Ignacio, Nestor and sisters Hilaria and Marta, a grandson, David and several nieces and nephews. We want to extend a special thanks to the staff at Willow Springs nursing home for the attentive and kind care given to our father. A vigil service is planned at the Stone Church in Yakima, WA., Friday, December 27, 2013 at 5:00 pm. Funeral services will be held at the Stone Church on Saturday, December 28th, 2013 at 9:00am with burial to follow at Terrace Heights Memorial Park. A reception will follow afterwards. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Miguel Valdez, please visit our flower store.