James Reyes Valadez

1943-2024

James Reyes was born in Aguascalientes, Mexico on April 30, 1943. He lived most of his youth in Mexico City until his family immigrated to the United States in 1957, settling in Chicago to start a new life. While in Chicago he began his career in cooking as he was a chef at the Pick Congress Hotel.

In 1974, his brother, Gabriel’s, job transferred them to Kansas City. Through the help of friends and family, he found his way to the Westin Crown Center Hotel in Kansas City Missouri. He continued his career as a chef until he retired in 2005.

Aside from his love of food, his true passion was music and dance. For 50 years through the partnership with the Guadalupe Center he assisted in the formation of El Grupo Folklorico Atotonilco. There he was the music director and assisted in teaching dances from his roots. He taught children and adults. He was so proud to be able to share this with so many families from our Mexican community. One of his favorite memories was taking the dance group to Seville, Spain to represent Kansas City at the World Expo in 1992. He often spoke of his time with Grupo Folklorico Atotonilco with such enthusiasm and love.

James passed away on October 17, 2024. He was preceded in death by his sister, Lourdes Reyes; father, Juan Reyes; and mother, Maria Reyes. Surviving family includes his brothers and sisters, Juan Jose Reyes (Guatemala), Gabriel Reyes (KS), Martha Ortiz (KS), Aurora and Koert Snyder (KS) and Franscisco and Lourdes Reyes (Mexico). James also leaves many nieces and nephews who loved him dearly.

Visitation will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, October 29 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 13615 W. 92nd St. Lenexa, KS 66215, followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30. Inurnment will be in Resurrection Cemetery, Lenexa, KS.