George C Valenzuela

A Loving Husband • A Proud Soldier • A Faithful Catholic • A Dedicated Provider • The Best Dad • A Cherished Grandpa • A Friend to Many

March 31, 1944 – July 17, 2026

With profound sadness and deep love, we announce the passing of George C. Valenzuela, who entered into the presence of the Lord on July 17, 2026, at the age of 82. George passed peacefully, surrounded by the love of his devoted wife, daughters, sons-in-law, grandchildren, and family.

George was born on March 31, 1944, in Calexico, California, to Jose and Esperanza Valenzuela. He was the eldest of seven children and shared a close bond with his siblings: Rosemary, Norma, Irma, Susie, Joe, and Diana. Although Diana passed away during infancy, she remained a cherished part of the Valenzuela family story. At the age of 16, George moved with his family to Kern County, where he attended and graduated from Bakersfield High School. It was there that he met the love of his life, Amalia, his high school sweetheart. Together they built a beautiful life rooted in faith, family, and unconditional love, sharing 62 wonderful years of marriage.

After graduating from high school, George proudly enlisted in the United States Army, serving his country from 1964 to 1970, including active duty from 1964 to 1968 during the Vietnam era. Toward the end of his active-duty service, he was stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, with the prestigious 82nd Airborne Division.

Although his unit was not deployed to Vietnam, George proudly served in a Reinforcement (REINF) assignment. His unit remained fully trained, qualified, and ready for immediate mobilization in support of military operations or a national emergency. He understood the responsibility that came with being prepared to answer the call to serve whenever and wherever he was needed.

After completing his active-duty service, George fulfilled the remainder of his military obligation in the Inactive Reserve through 1970. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and the Parachutist Badge, honors he wore with great pride throughout his life. He remained deeply proud of his military service. He especially loved wearing his 82nd Airborne Division hat and treasured every handshake, smile, and heartfelt "thank you" from those who recognized his service. He was an incredible storyteller, and some of his favorite stories were those of his military experiences. He had a remarkable gift for bringing those memories to life, captivating everyone fortunate enough to hear them.

The same discipline, perseverance, and sense of duty that defined George's military service became the foundation of the life he built for his family.

George believed there was dignity in hard work. He began working at an early age alongside his father, Jose Valenzuela, where he learned the value of responsibility, perseverance, and repairing vehicles. Those early lessons shaped the man he became and the work ethic he carried throughout his life.

Later, George and Amalia owned and operated G & A Tire Service, a mobile roadside tire and vehicle repair business. Whether changing a tire or helping someone stranded along the road, George took pride in using his knowledge and mechanical skills to help others. He later spent many years as a petroleum truck driver, faithfully providing for his family through hard work, integrity, and dedication. His love of working on vehicles remained one of his lifelong passions.

George was a devoted Catholic whose faith guided every aspect of his life. He and Amalia faithfully attended Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, where they raised their daughters. He generously served as a youth leader and mentor, sharing his faith, kindness, and wisdom with countless young people.

While George worked hard throughout his life, his greatest joy was always his family. He was a devoted husband and an extraordinary father to his seven daughters: Hope, Vickie, Josie, Monica, Gina, Elizabeth, and Jessica. He taught his daughters what unconditional love looked like—not only through his words, but through his actions every single day.

George and Amalia's home was always open to family. Along with raising their seven daughters, they helped raise several of their grandchildren. Among the many grandchildren they helped raise and guide, George and Amalia lovingly raised their granddaughter, Sarah, from birth, continuing the same unconditional love, guidance, and support they extended to every child in their lives.

One of the greatest expressions of that love was a tradition his family will never forget. Before leaving for work, George made sure to kiss every one of his children goodbye and tell them he loved them—even if they were still asleep. It was a simple act that reflected the depth of his love and the kind of father he chose to be every day.

George believed that being a father meant more than providing for his family. He taught his children to live with kindness, compassion, humility, faith, forgiveness, and love. His example shaped the lives of his daughters, grandchildren, and everyone blessed to know him.

George had a wonderful sense of humor and a gift for making people laugh. He was known for his unforgettable sayings, playful expressions, and witty observations that could brighten any room. Those familiar words—spoken in only the way Dad could—will continue to bring smiles to our faces and laughter to our hearts for generations to come.

In his younger years, George loved playing baseball with his daughters, running, reading, and watching Wide World of Sports, football, and baseball. Yet nothing brought him greater happiness than spending time with Amalia, his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Family was always his favorite place to be.

George was blessed with a large and loving family. He is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Amalia Valenzuela; his daughters Hope, Vickie, Josie, Gina, Elizabeth, and Jessica; his brother, Joe Valenzuela; his sisters, Irma Muniz and Susie Valenzuela; and many nieces, nephews, extended family members, dear friends, and all whose lives he touched.

He was also blessed with 24 beloved grandchildren: Nick, Alissa, Joshua †, Luke, Adam, Sarah, Jessica, Tony, Sarah, Jake, Dillon, Jeremiah, Anna, Jackie, Ellena, Frankie, Isabelle, Angela, Noah, Gary †, Alyson, Cassie, Abby, Cameron †, and Natalie.

His legacy continues through his 24 cherished great-grandchildren: Joshlyn, Reyna, Jaden, Sophia, Kylie, Grace, Aria, Alicia, Nathan, Emma, Joey, Judith, Jackson, George, Kara, Jaxson, Karla, Raelynn, Christian, Cameron, Elle, Aubrey, Victor, and Zeke.

George was preceded in death by his beloved daughter, Monica; his cherished grandsons, Joshua, Gary, and Cameron; his parents, Jose and Esperanza Valenzuela, lovingly known to their grandchildren as Tata and Nana; his sisters, Rosemary Valenzuela and Norma Baeza; and his youngest sister, Diana, who passed away during infancy. We find comfort in knowing they welcomed him into the loving arms of our Lord.

The measure of a man’s life is not found in the years he lived, but in the love he gave. George gave that love freely—to his wife, his daughters, his grandchildren, his great-grandchildren, his extended family, his church, his friends, and his country. His greatest legacy is not what he left behind, but the people he loved and the values he instilled in them. We are better because he was our husband, our father, our grandfather, our great-grandfather, our brother, our uncle, our mentor, and our friend.

Dad, thank you for showing us what it means to love without limits, to live with faith, to serve with honor, and to always put family first. Thank you for every goodbye kiss, every “I love you,” every story, every laugh, and every lesson. We will carry your wisdom, your unforgettable sayings, your unwavering faith, and your unconditional love with us for the rest of our lives.

One of the memories we will cherish most is the way Dad said goodbye. Every time someone left the house, he would naturally raise his hand in his familiar "I love you" wave—a simple gesture that always meant, "Bye... I love you." It was simply Dad being Dad. Over the years, that familiar wave became a cherished family tradition shared across generations. Today, whenever we raise our hands in that familiar wave, we are reminded that Dad's love is still with us.

“Well done, good and faithful servant.” – Matthew 25:23

Until we meet again, we love you forever.

Visitation will be held at Funeraria Del Angel Hillcrest, 9101 Kern Canyon Road, Bakersfield, CA 93306, US, on August 3, 2026, from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

A Funeral Service will take place at Funeraria Del Angel Hillcrest, 9101 Kern Canyon Road, Bakersfield, CA 93306, US, on August 4, 2026, from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm, followed by a Committal Service at Hillcrest Memorial Park, 9101 Kern Canyon Road, Bakersfield, CA 93306, US, on August 4, 2026, from 2:00 pm to 2:30 pm.

Pallbearers will be Lance Weldin, Tommy Sides, Devin Becker, Steve Suarez, Frankie Castro, Billy Montgomery, with honorary pallbearers Dillon Weldin, Cameron Rodriguez, Nick Suarez, Noah Sides, Luke Fenwick, and Anthony Valenzuela.