Frank Valdez, age 81, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, passed away on Saturday, October 29 ^th , 2022.

He was born Jose Francisco Valdez, April 9 ^th , 1941, in Las Vegas, New Mexico, to parents Joe E. Valdez of Raton, NM, and to Rose L. Valdez of San Miguel, NM.

Frank grew up in Las Vegas, New Mexico, and attended Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School. He also attended Vegas High and West Las Vegas High School. In his childhood and teen years, he was a football player, rode a motorcycle, and raced his '37 Ford coupe.  He spent his summers at the ranch in Leyba with his grandpa, Willie Leyba, where he learned to ride horses.  He became an avid horseback rider and performed in rodeos riding horses and bulls.

After he graduated high school, he joined the United States Navy.  He was assigned duty on the U.S.S. Boston stationed mainly in Europe during the Cold War.  There, his regiment and admiral helped turn the Russians back from delivering a nuclear warhead to Cuba.  He served overseas in the Mediterranean for four years as a Radar Technician and was a proud Veteran.

Once he returned from his service, Frank worked as a home goods salesman for several years and then became a truck driver hauling fuel. He was also in a long-time relationship with Rose Cothern and helped raise her children.  He fondly spoke of her grandchildren and lovingly referred to them as his own.

Throughout his life, Frank enjoyed deer hunting, going to the Hot Springs in Montezuma near Las Vegas, NM, and collected over 100 arrowheads.  We were delighted to hear his colorful and funny stories of his time in France and his travels hitchhiking across America. He took good care of himself and we attribute his long healthy life to vitamin C and eating beans!

Frank attended church daily at several churches throughout Albuquerque and became a parishioner of Our Lady of Fatima.  He was part of the Holy Rosary Legion of Mary, and he taught others about the powers of renewal and salvation by praying the rosary daily.  He was a humble man, that lived simply, loved his Catholic faith and was wholeheartedly devoted to God.

Frank will be most remembered for his engaging stories of our rich New Mexico family history, and his retelling of heartfelt bible parables.  We have been blessed to have Frank, a strong, protective, independent, and peaceful presence in our family.  He taught us many valuable lessons throughout the years.  His laugh, smile, and kindness will be missed dearly.

Above all, he deeply cherished his quiet alone time of prayer amongst God's beauty of the northern New Mexico terrain and beautiful skies in Leyba.

Frank was preceded in death by his parents, Joe E. Valdez, and Rose L. Valdez.

He is loved and survived by his only brother, Edmundo Valdez, of Albuquerque, NM, nephew Jody Valdez, niece Jill Lopez, grandnieces Madeline and Sophia Finale, and grandnephew Ethan Finale.  He also leaves behind close cousins and cherished friends.

A Rosary will be prayed at Our Lady of Fatima, on Saturday, November 19 ^th , 2022, at 9:30 AM, with a Memorial Mass to follow at 10:00 AM, 4020 Lomas Boulevard NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110.

A reception will follow the memorial mass at Thomas Aquinas Newman Center, 1815 Las Lomas Rd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87106.

Internment will take place on Tuesday, November 22 ^nd , 2022, at 1:00 PM, at the Santa Fe National Cemetery, 501 North Guadalupe Street in Santa Fe, NM.