Arnold Z. Valerio, age 86, passed away peacefully in Houston surrounded by his family on Wednesday, March 7, 2018. He was born on November 5, 1931 in Houston to Maurice and Dora Z. Valerio. He attended the University of Houston and proudly served in the 82nd Airborne Division, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment during the Korean War. Arnold retired as a fitness trainer from the City of Houston Parks and Recreation Department. His passion in health and fitness was ignited at the early age of 11, when he began body building, and continued as an adult helping his clients achieve their health goals. Arnold was also an accomplished and avid marathon runner, who participated and placed in the Houston Tenneco/Chevron Marathon countless times, as well in numerous road races, such as the Fort Worth Cowtown Marathon and the New Orleans Crescent City Classic Race. Arnold made annual runs from Houston to Galveston and was influential in inspiring others to take up the sport of running. Arnold is preceded in death by his wife, Martha Valerio, in 1985. He leaves behind one sister Mary Gorka; children, Maurice (Kathleen) Valerio, Valerie Valerio, Margaret (Gary) Guzman, Mary (Eddy) Longoria, and Lewis (Ana) Valerio; grandchildren, Dr. Arica Prado, Danielle (Ray) Moss, Gary Guzman, Ceile Valerio, Vincent Longoria, Colleen Valerio, Adrianna Guzman, Ana Maria Guzman, David Valerio, Matthew Valerio, Diego Valerio and Gabriel Guzman; and great-grandchildren, Aubree Longoria, Michael Serrano, Alysha Moss, Ahmad Moss, Isabella Duran, and Alexander Guzman.Funeral Services will be held Sunday, March 11, 2018, 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm, Rosary at 6:00 pm at the Heights Funeral Home Dignity Memorial, 1317 Heights Blvd, Houston, Texas 77009. The Funeral Mass will be held Monday, March 12, 2018, 10:00 am, a final viewing at 9:00 am at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 4918 Cochran St., Houston, Texas 77009 followed by interment at Hollywood Cemetery, 3506 N. Main, Houston, Texas 77009.
