Obituary-Max Valdez

Max Valdez
9-7-1914 ~ 8-13-2011
Max Valdez of Longmont CO, formerly of Walsenburg, died at the age of 96 on August 13 in his home. Max was born on September 7, 1914, in Walsenburg to Melaquias and Alvina (Cordova) Valdez.
He was one of the original cowboys, working cattle runs from New Mexico all the way to Wyoming and participating in rodeos.
Max proudly served his country in the army during WWII, where he was an expert marksman. He was also one of the last surviving members of the Battle of the Bulge.
After returning from Europe, he helped build the Alcon Highway through Alaska and worked in numerous feedlots, providing veterinary and animal husbandry services. He later worked for the Boulder Valley School District for a number of years until his retirement in 1979.
Max was a member of the VFW, Eagles Lodge and the Elks Club. He was a skilled hunter, enjoyed watching Western movies, loved the outdoors (especially horseback riding) and being with his grandkids and family.
Max was preceded in death by his son Abel Valdez and his daughter Maxine Valdez. He is survived by his daughter Alvina Valdez (Melinda Aldridge, PhD), son William Valdez and his daughter-in-law Janice Valdez. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, Jeanette (Ramon) Morales, Eugene Valdez, Jesus (Randie) Martinez, Tasa (Soufiane) Valdez/ Hamdane, Eloy (Denise) Alarcon, Petra Alarcon, and his nine great grandchildren, Steven and Rebecca Morales, Dustin Moriah, Jesus Jr, Joshuah and Jacob Martinez, and Elias and Mia Alarcon.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, August 26, at 11 am at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Walsenburg. There will be a reception at Mazzone Hall after the service. Memorial Contributions may be made to the Max Valdez Memorial Fund, in care of the Ahlberg Funeral Chapel in Longmont CO. You can also visit www.ahlbergfuneralchapel.com to share your condolences with the family.