Vicente Eduardo Valdez, 64

La Jara resident Vicente Eduardo Valdez, 64, passed away April 6, 2017 at the Conejos County Hospital with his loving family by his side. Vicente was born on April 27, 1952 in Alamosa, Colorado, the beloved son of Bonifacio Valdez and Olivama Salazar de Valdez. Vicente was united in marriage to Lucia Pacheco on January 29, 1994 in Zapotlan, Mexico. Vicente enjoyed farming, raising sheep, traveling, keeping up with current events and politics,  and was also an avid football fan and chess player. He was a people person. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. Vicente was a great storyteller, who had an incredible memory and loved sharing stories about various people including ancestors.  He graduated from Centauri High School as a Boettcher Scholar, and attended various institutions of higher learning.  These included Colorado State University, Adams State College, University of Americas in Cholula, Mexico, the World Campus Afloat, and graduated from Colorado College with a degree in Liberal Arts with an emphasis in economics. At one time he shipped grain on the railroad to various sites in the USA and Mexico. He enjoyed doing business with Mexico promoting agricultural commodities and selling farm products at farmers’ markets

Survivors include his wife Lucia Valdez of La Jara, CO; daughters Valentina Valdez and Vianey Valdez  both of La Jara, CO; son Victor Valdez of La Jara, CO; one sister Dolores (Ricardo) Valdez de Pong of Santa Fe, NM. He is also survived by cousins and friends.

Vicente was preceded in death by his parents Bonifacio and Olivama Valdez.

Cremation was chosen. A Rosary Vigil Service will be held on Sunday, April 9, 2017 at 7:00 PM at Our Lady of the Valley in La Jara. A Memorial Mass will be held on Monday, April 10, 2017 at 10:00 AM also at Our Lady of the Valley. Inurnment will follow at the Capulin  Cemetery. The care of arrangements have been trusted to Romero Funeral Home of Antonito.