Hesperia, California, former San Luis resident Ernesto Samuel Valdez, passed away on April 29, 2017.  Ernesto was born on August 14, 1952 in San Luis, Colorado, the son of Eluterio Valdez and Lilia Maes Valdez.  Ernesto retired from the United States Army after 20 years of service.  While in the Army, he worked as an armor. His last duty station was with Foreign Military Intelligence at Ft. Irwin National Training Center in California. Ernesto was married to Rebecca Cabrera, and together, they raised two wonderful children.   Ernesto enjoyed hunting, fishing, going to the mountains, riding his trike and barbecuing with family.

Survivors include his wife Rebecca Valdez of Hesperia, CA; daughter Yvonne (Russell) Carr of Hesperia, CA; son Joseph (Teresa) Valdez of Las Vegas, NV; grandchildren Tyler Sligar, Caitlyn Valdez and Joseph Valdez of Las Vegas, NV; sisters Mary Lou Aragon of San Luis, CO; Ruby (Eduardo) Molina of Blanca, CO; Eva Ramirez of Alamosa, CO and Bonnie (Frank) Kuhn of San Luis, CO; and brothers David Valdez of San Luis, CO and Chris D. (Megan) Maes of Castle Rock, CO; mother-in-law Marilyn Autry of Apple Valley, CA; He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Ernesto was preceded in death by his parents Eluterio and Lilia Valdez; brothers Chris J. Maes and Danny Valdez and sisters Loretta Valdez and Grace Cordova and nephew Joey Galdean.

A Funeral Service will be held on May 5, 2017 at 11:00 AM at the Romero Funeral Chapel in San Luis. Viewing and visitation will be held from 4-6 PM Thursday May 4, 2017 at The Romero Funeral Chapel in San Luis. Interment will be held at the Apostolic Cemetery in San Luis with full military honors. The care of arrangements have been trusted to Romero Funeral Home of San Luis.