Gabriel Agustin Valdez

Gabriel Agustin Valdez was born December 11, 1980 in Yuma, Arizona to Joe N., III and Norma (Talamantes) Valdez. 

He graduated from Deming High School in 1999 where he played the trumpet in DHS Band. He followed in his father’s footsteps proudly serving his country as a US Marine. Gabriel was a US Combat Veteran having served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom and completed a degree in Criminal Justice after his honorable discharge from the USMC. 

He enjoyed coaching baseball, 4-wheeling, riding freely on his Harley Davidson, video games, and loved his family and friends. He is remembered as having a huge heart and stunning smile and for making people laugh. 

He is survived by his children Jocelyn, Jasmine of NM, Leroy of AZ, and their mother Mary Jo Valdez; baby Agustin;  mother Norma Valdez and partner Mike Leyba; brother Arthur and wife Jaqueline of AZ; granddaughter Camila Rose; maternal grandmother Rosa Talamantes; aunts Irene (Gilbert) Pacheco, Debbie (Chris) Valdez; uncle Louie; nieces Leyla, Arlene, and Ariana Valdez, Viviana Lopez; nephews Joseph (Zuleika, Eastonn, Zealand) Lopez, Ricardo and Jude Lopez; his best friend, Donnie Daniels; many cousins; and his USMC comrades “Momo”, “Dirty”, “Biggie”, “Frenchie”, the Coats family, and many more. 

He was preceded in death by his father Joe N. Valdez, III, maternal grandfather Agustin Talamantes and uncle Angel Talamantes; paternal grandparents Joe N Valdez, II and Mary Coon; and his best friend, his ride or die Dog, Mia. 

Visitation will be Friday afternoon, June 10, 2022 from 12 to 2 at Baca’s Funeral Chapel where funeral services will begin at 2 o’clock with Ernie Holguin officiating.  Military Honors will be accorded.  Cremation will follow at Baca’s Mimbres Crematory.

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