Aniceto Valdez

Aniceto was born on October 9, 1945 in Hidalgo, Nuevo Leon, Mexico to Onofre and Elida (Gonzalez) Valdez. In 1946 the family immigrated to the United States, settling in Weslaco, Texas. The family traveled between Texas, Washington, Oregon and California following the harvests, but always returning to Texas for the winter. In 1974 Aniceto moved to Connell. He went to work for Lamb Weston and worked as a lineman there until 2008. In 1988 he married Julianita Gutierez in Connell. They had a daughter who passed at birth in May of 1990. Julianita preceded Aniceto in death in June of 2005.

Aniceto loved to walk and was seen all over town walking from place to place. He was called Smiley by many because of his infectious smile that was always there. As a young man he was always there for his siblings. He would bring home his paycheck and hand it to his mother to help with the family expenses. He had a strong willed belief of right and wrong and always behaved ethically and responsibly. He was a member of the St Vincent’s Catholic Church in Connell. Aniceto enjoyed family gatherings during the holidays.

Aniceto was preceded in death by his father, Onofre Valdez, his daughter, Margarita, and his wife Julianita. He is survived by his mother, Elida, of Richland; his brothers Roosevelt, Onofre Jr. and Uvense all of Weslaco, TX, and Isaias Valdez of Connell; his sisters Elida Fernandez of Connell and Mary Kohne of Oregon City, OR and numerous nieces and nephews.