Louis Valdez Obituary

Ignacio resident Louis D. Valdez died in Durango on Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009. He was 65.

Known as "Louie," he was born to Andres and Maria Isabel Valdez in Durango on Nov. 28, 1943. He grew up in Ignacio and graduated from Ignacio High School.

He enlisted in the Army and served as a communications specialist in Germany from 1967 to 1969. Except for his time in the service, Mr. Valdez worked in Silverton's gold and silver mines from 1963 to 1992. He also worked at the United Building Centers for 13 years as the shipping and receiving clerk, retiring in 2008.

On June 27, 1970, he married Georgann Romero in Silverton.

Mr. Valdez was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping and playing golf. For seven years, he ran the Ignacio Youth Baseball Program.

He was recently named Sports Fan of the Year and attended Ignacio High School sporting events rain or shine. His family said he followed and supported his grandchildren in their sporting endeavors and academics.

Mr. Valdez is survived by his wife of 39 years, Georgann Valdez, of Ignacio; mother, Isabel Valdez, of Ignacio; sons Troy Valdez of Ignacio and Jude Valdez of Littleton; daughters Sara Valdez of Ignacio and Nichole Atencio of Farmington; sisters Dolores Valdez, Dorthea Valdez and Liz Valdez, all of Ignacio, Theresa Gallegos of Durango, Barbara Atencio of Farmington and Mary Valdez of Huntington Park, Calif.; brother, Steve Valdez, of Aztec; six grandchildren; and dozens of nieces and nephews.

A rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23, 2009, at St. Ignatius Catholic Church in Ignacio. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009, also at St. Ignatius. The Rev. Doug Hunt will be the celebrant. Burial will take place afterward at Hillside Cemetery in Silverton.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Ignacio Youth Baseball Program, c/o Town of Ignacio, P.O. Box 459, Ignacio, CO 81137; or Ignacio High School Athletics Department, c/o Melanie Taylor, Athletic Director, P.O. Box 460, Ignacio, CO 81137.