Levi Valdez

Levi Valdez, 86, a resident of Velarde, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, July 17, 2024.  Born in la Petaca, NM, on January 6, 1938, 

Levi was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Mila María Valdez; parents, Manuel Sr. and Delidia; brothers, Pastor Elias Valdez and Manuel Valdez Jr.; sisters, Alice Martinez, Bertha Esquibel, Susie Martinez and Estella Valdez.  

He is survived by his wife of 64 years Angelina; sons, Levi (Carolyn) and Mario (Monica); grandchildren, Eli, Marianna (Steffen), Marisol, Mario Adán and Marizia; great grandchildren, Jayla and Angelina; brother, Robert Valdez; sisters, Betty Duran and Evila V. Rivera along with numerous nephews, nieces and in-laws.

Levi earned a B.A. from the College of Santa Fe and a M.A. from UNM and was a lifelong educator at both the College of Santa Fe and Northern New Mexico Community College.  He was a constant inspiration to young adults in their pursuit of a higher education or a work trade.  As an educator, Levi would often assist those young adults in acquiring the financial means necessary to support their educational goals.  His life in the Española Valley was rich with diverse experiences as a board member or commissioner of numerous organizations (i.e. Jemez Mountains Electric Cooperative, la Acequia de los Chicos, the New Mexico Apple Council, the Upper Rio Grande Watershed Commission and the Velarde Volunteer Fire Department).  As a young adult, Levi was a heavy equipment operator and a member of the United States Army.

Levi was also an exercise fanatic, and you would often see him walking or jogging in and around Velarde.  He loved spending countless hours sitting peacefully under the cottonwood trees by the river and as friends or family came to visit, he enjoyed conversing with them in Spanish and English while giving them a walking tour of his orchard and its history.  Although Levi dedicated himself as an educator and as a passionate farmer/owner of Rancho LLAM (fruit orchard), he was most dedicated to being a loving and guiding husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather.

A Rosary for Levi will be prayed at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 3, 2024 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Velarde, NM with a Funeral Mass to follow at 10 a.m.  A private burial will be held at the Santa Fe National Cemetery at a later date.

The family of Levi Valdez has entrusted the care of their loved one to Rivera Family Funeral Home in Española.