Luis was raised in Alice, Texas and like many of his generation he answered the call to serve in World War II and enlisted in the United States Navy at the tender age of seventeen where he served in the Pacific Theater onboard several ships including the destroyer escort, USS Jack W. Wilke. Luis answered the call again and served in the US Navy during the Korean War until he was honorably discharged in 1954.
After his Navy service he relocated to Corpus Christi, Texas and joined the Corpus Christi Fire Department where he served for 29 years and was one of the first Mexican-Americans to join the CCFD. During his time with the Fire Department, he was recognized twice for valor and has the distinction of making the first ambulance call for the CCFD’s newly formed EMT ambulance program.
Luis married the love of his life, Olga Pena in 1958 in Alice, Texas. They were happily married for 64 years. Luis was a proud member of the Disabled American Veterans, V.F.W., Pan-American Golf Association and a loyal parishioner of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church for over 60 years. Luis was an avid golfer, deer hunter and voracious reader of Military, Old West and Texas history and enjoyed dining out; however, his greatest pleasure during his retirement was spending time with his family and being a proud grandpa.
Luis is survived by his four sons, Robert (Kristi) of Athens, Alabama, Richard (Sharon), John (Crystal) both of Corpus Christi and Rodney (Serena) of Austin, Texas; his sister Bessie (Joe) Garcia and brother Andy Valls (Mike) his grandchildren Ashley, Kevin, Joseph Jacob (JJ) and Mia; his great-grandchildren Wyatt and Kensley and his many nieces and nephews and other relatives.
Luis was preceded in death by his beloved wife Olga, his father Joe A. Valls, Sr. and mother Lucrecia Valls, his brother Robert V. Valls (KIA - WWII - European theater) his sisters Alma and Lily, brothers Joe Jr., Arnold, Ernesto and Eddie.
Rosary services will be held at Funeraria Del Angel Memorial 3442 Holly Rd Corpus Christi, Texas 78415 at 6pm, Wednesday May 11th. Funeral mass to be held at OLPH Catholic Church, 5814 Williams Dr Corpus Christi, Texas 78412 at 11am, Thursday May 12th, burial to follow immediately after at Coastal Bend Veterans Cemetery at 1pm.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made in his name to Catholic Charities of Corpus Christi, www.catholiccharities-cc.org
Condolences may be left on Luis Valls online guest book at https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/corpus-christi-tx/luis-valls-10734248
