Jose "LeRoy" Fermin Valdez

LeRoy was born on September 25, 1949, in Costilla, New Mexico to Fermin Procopio Valdez and Fabiola Orlinda Valdez Santistevan. LeRoy had four brothers; John Valdez, Rick Valdez, Tony Valdez, and Jim Valdez, and two sisters; Gina Valdez and Mona Golden.

The family moved to Avondale, Colorado in 1950 and that became home. He grew up helping on the family farm and feeding the hogs. At this young age he and his brother John would watch his dad, Fermin, play semi-pro baseball in Pueblo with their Uncle Bert, and would go to watch the Pueblo Dodgers at Runyon Field any chance they could get. His dad Fermin loved playing catch with him, and all this laid the foundation for what was to become LeRoy’s favorite sport in baseball. He went on to become the starting second baseman for Pueblo County High School. LeRoy was also raised a devout Catholic and was an altar boy at Sacred Heart Church in Avondale, but which soon thereafter came into question when he went to work for his Uncle Ray at the auto shop!

After graduating from Pueblo County High School, LeRoy found his favorite hobby with his Uncle Ray at the shop in a 1955 Chevy Nomad—Tangerine pearl paint, a 327 cubic engine with headers, and black bucket seats inside with rally wheels—what a head turner! It was at this point, he met the love of his life of 51 years, Midge (Mihelich) Valdez. While going to college LeRoy worked the Open Hearth at the CF&I in Pueblo. In 1975, Midge and LeRoy became father to Michael Valdez, which was one of their most proud moments for the rest of their lives. After graduating from USC in 1978, he found his true calling as a history teacher and men’s basketball coach in Colorado Springs. In 1981, Midge & LeRoy had Matthew Valdez, who would henceforth look up to his dad as his one and only true hero. Then in 1987, the apple of his eye, Carissa (Saunders) Valdez, was born.

LeRoy mentored numerous students and athletes in his 40-plus years of coaching and teaching at Rusell Middle School and Doherty High School. It was very regular for former students, that now have gray hair, to come up to him and tell him what an impact he had on their lives. He loved working on his cars, talking genealogy with his family, and catching brown & rainbow trout on dry flies in 11 Mile Canyon. And in these last few years his heart became complete with the birth of his three grandchildren, Olivia, Amelia, and Jackson Saunders.

LeRoy is preceded in death by his parents, Fermin and Fabiola Valdez and his brother, Rick Valdez.

LeRoy is survived by his loving wife, Midge; and children Michael (Evan) Joneson-Valdez, Matthew Valdez, and Carissa (Max) Saunders, along with his three cherished grandchildren, Olivia, Amelia, and Jackson Saunders; his siblings, John (Nancy) Valdez, Gina Valdez, Mona (Mike) Golden, Tony Valdez, and Jim (Fran) Valdez. Along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and one special Goddaughter.

A Rosary, at 9:15am, and memorial Catholic Mass will be held at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church on March 25, 2026, at 10:00am with a reception immediately following. LeRoy will be laid to rest at Imperial Cemetery in Pueblo, Colorado on March 26, 2026, at 10:00 AM.