Obituary: Frank Valdez

Albuquerque - Frank C. Valdez passed away on October 31, 2023, in Albuquerque, NM. He was preceded in death by his parents Ubaldo and Josephine Valdez, and brother Ernesto Valdez. Frank Cristobal was born in Fairview, NM, on September 20, 1944, to Jose Ubaldo and Maria Josefina Valdez. The Ubaldo Valdez family moved to Floyd, NM, where Frank attended Floyd Schools and later Portales High School. He lived in Portales, NM until his retirement in 2006, when he moved to Albuquerque, NM to be close to his children, Frank, Veronica, and Eric.

Frank was employed as a backhoe operator from 1963 to 1974. From 1974-2006 he successfully owned and operated Valdez Construction as a utility, excavation, and general contractor.

He served in the New Mexico National Guard from 1962 until 1966. Frank was a man of faith, and was a member of the Knights of Columbus, 4th degree, 1997-present. He served as Director of Council at St. Helen's Catholic Church, 1998-2000 and he continued to volunteer for Saint Helen's Catholic Church until his retirement. He served on the Plains Regional Medical Center (Portales/Clovis) Board of Directors from 1986 to 1996.

Frank was proud to be from Portales and served his community in various capacities such as sponsoring City of Portales Women's Softball teams, serving as a member of Habitat for Humanity, 1997-2005, as well as Hispanos Para Progresso, Inc. Scholarship Fund 1997-2005. He also served as a counselor for the United New Mexico Bank and served on the New Mexico Criminal Justice Council, advocating, and influencing the approval for a new modern city jail. He was an advocate for social justice, and always willing to lend a helping hand to those in need.

He loved all of his family, and is survived by his children and their mother, Trina Lujan and her spouse Patricio Lujan; son Frank Valdez and wife Celena, daughter Veronica Valdez-Anderson and husband Joe Anderson and their children Luke Anderson and Sophia Anderson, and son Eric Valdez and wife Angelica and their children Enrique Valdez, and Eric L. Valdez, Eric's daughter Miko Birdsong-Jimenez and her husband Cruz Jimenez and great grandchildren Haelynn and Rowynn Jimenez.

Frank will be laid to rest on March 15, 2024. Rosary at 9:00 and mass at 10:00, St. Helen's Catholic Church, 1600 S. Ave. O, Portales, NM. In lieu of flowers, kindly donate to the Catholic Charities of NM.