Ben Valverde

Benjamin T. Valverde, Sr. 94, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and uncle, brother and friends passed peacefully into Eternal Life at his home early Saturday, July 30, 2022. Ben was born in Stockton, CA on June 19, 1928 to Joseph and Evelyn (Lujan) Valverde. He was the oldest of 3, he attended St. Agnes and St. Mary’s High School.

At 16, Ben met the love of his life, Lucy (DelaRiva) and they became each other’s lifelong companions and friends. The two were in love, eloping to Nevada on September 14, 1946 then were married in the Catholic Church on November 10, 1946. Ben and Lucy started a beautiful life together, building their first home and welcoming three children, Antionette, Jeanne and Ben Jr. In 1960, the family moved and settled into their forever home on Heather Drive where Ben and Lucy have continued to live for 62 years. The two enjoyed a long happy marriage and received the Papel and Bishop’s blessing for their 76 years of marriage.

Growing up, Ben played three sports baseball, basketball and football and he continued his involvement with sports after high school through his involvement playing for Pan American Baseball Team and Club Mexico. Ben’s Hall of Fame Inductions; 1992 Mexican American Golf Hall of Fame, 2006 St. Mary’s Athletic Hall of Fame, 2005 Mexican American Athletic Hall of Fame. Ben became very active in the Stockton MAGA holding positions as President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Publicity, Social Chairman. Ben loved the game of golf and enjoyed playing with his friends, cousins and grandchildren.

In 1945 at age 17 Ben began his career in printing. Ben worked summers at Stockton Fiberboard learning every aspect of the Company. He started in the Cutting Department advancing through various departments perfecting his craft. His passion for Lithography led to his promotion to Shop Steward and introduction to Union Contracts and Management. Ben’s career spanned over 47 years before retiring in 1992 as the Company’s Vice President. Post-retirement, Ben was recruited as a business consultant to businesses in Mexico.

Ben was a gentle man, always a family man and prioritized his family above everything else in his life. He excelled at many things: problem solver, smart, hard worker, contributor, loyal, trustworthy, reliable, dependable, and was a role model and natural leader in every aspect of his life. He took pride in his accomplishments which are long. However, if you asked Ben, his greatest accomplishments were not his sports, community involvement or his career ~ it was how his children and their children cultivate the seeds of our family. They need to be cultivated so they will bloom in your eyes as result of your hard work and leadership.

Ben is preceded in death by his brother Joseph Valverde and his parents Joseph and Evelyn Valverde, his grandson Keith Michael Coffer and son in-law Ken Coffer. He is survived by his wife of 76 years, Lucy; his three children: Antoinette Coffer of Florida, Jeanne Valverde of Stockton and Ben Valverde, Jr. ( Sandra Brown) of Modesto, his grandchildren: John Navarro, Jr. (Andrea) of Oklahoma, Jeff Navarro (Amy) Lodi, Jennifer Doll (Charles) Modesto, Jason Navarro of Stockton, Kevin Coffer, Derek Coffer of New York, Benjamin Valverde, III (Ignacia) of Santiago, Chile; six great grand-children, Ashley Sandlin(Justin), Quinn Navarro, Daniel Downer, Alexis Downer, Alison Navarro, Rafael Valverde; two step-great-grandchildren ; Christian Doll, Faith Doll. His sister Ramona Lozano (Frank)

A visitation for Ben will be held Tuesday, August 16, 2022 from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM at DeYoung Memorial Chapel, 601 N California St, Stockton, California 95202. A rosary will occur Tuesday, August 16, 2022 at 6:00 PM, 601 N California St, Stockton, California 95202. A mass of Christian burial will occur Wednesday, August 17, 2022 at 10:00 AM at Church of the Presentation, 6715 Leesburg Place, Stockton, California. A committal will occur Wednesday, August 17, 2022 at San Joaquin Catholic Cemetery, 719 E. Harding Way, Stockton, California.