Santos Z Valdez Jr.

Santos Z. Valdez, Jr., age 73, died peacefully surrounded by his family at M. D. Anderson Hospital in Houston, Texas on Monday, December 1, 2014, following a courageous battle with cancer. He was born in Goliad, Texas on April 9, 1941, to Librada and Santos Valdez. Santos was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and took pride in his faith which has now granted him peace. Visitation will be Wednesday, December 3, 2014 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Rosary at 7:00 p.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Funeral Service will be Thursday December 4, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

Santos was preceded in death by his loving parents, Santos & Librada Valdez, brothers, Lupe and Mike Valdez.

Our sweet daddy is survived by his loving family who faithfully stood by his side specifically throughout his journey these last 3 years. The love of his life & whom he never left her side for 56 years, Mary D. Valdez of Freeport; his only son, Adrian Valdez & wife, Francis of Lake Jackson; three daughters, Cynthia Martinez and husband Carlos of Freeport, Sandra Watson and husband David of Lake Jackson, Sonya Valdez of Freeport (Cris Moreno of Copperas Cove) ; his pride and joy eleven grandchildren, Adrian Valdez, Jr. (Christi) of Victoria, Aaron Valdez (Lindsay) of Beaumont, Ashley Valdez, Charissa Martinez of Lake Jackson, Carlos Martinez, Jr. (Myra) of League City, Santiago, Jr. and Julian Cavazos of Freeport, ChrisTann Sauceda (John) of Brazoria, Gabriella, Victoria, & Alisyia Watson of Lake Jackson; six great-grandchildren who owned his heart, Sean Adames & Aidan Valdez, of Victoria, Ashton & Isabella Valdez, of Beaumont, Jordan Marshall of Lake Jackson, and Beenie Joel Sauceda of Brazoria.

Brothers, Willie (Lucia) and Jim (Josie) of Victoria, John (Olga) of Lake Jackson; sisters, Lupita (John) of Houston, Carolina Garza of Edna; as well as numerous in-laws, cousins, nephews and nieces whom he loved very much.

Daddy never met a stranger and had many friends. He loved sharing stories with us about his childhood. He enjoyed telling us that he played football back when you didn’t even wear a “real helmet” and he loved the “thrill” he felt when pole vaulting while attending Ganado High School. He moved his family to Freeport many years ago and worked in the industrial field later to be employed with Marine Petroleum, Mfg. then Triplex, Inc. and because he loved being busy he became employed at Wal-Mart for a short while before having to stop due to illness. He promised us that we would “love it here” and to do his part he became a softball coach for the SFA Girls’ Softball league. He coached and mentored us and many young ladies for several years and built solid relationships that have lasted till today. Then alongside his son he became a member of and pitched for “The Rookies” a mens slow pitch softball team. At the invitation of his brother, John, he later appeared in a PBS Texas History documentary. All very proud accomplishments in our daddy’s life. Daddy, was a faithful fan of his #1 team the Dallas Cowboys.

Pallbearers will be; Adrian Valdez, Jr., Aaron Valdez, Charissa Martinez, Carlos Martinez, Jr., Santiago Cavazos, Jr., Julian Cavazos, Sean Adames, John Sauceda

Honorary pallbearers will be; Jim Valdez, John Valdez, Willie Valdez, John Hernandez, Ben Villarreal, Manuel Villarreal, Jr., Johnny DeLaGarza, Jesse Martinez, Sr., Jimmy Valdez, Jr., Jesse Martinez, Jr., Joe John Valdez, Alan Saavedra, Cris Moreno.