Marcial Jose Valdez

Marcial Valdez, 83 of Fort Sumner, NM died Tuesday evening, February 15, 2011 at Plains Regional Medical Center in Clovis, NM following a sudden illness. He was born December 19, 1927 in Tucumcari, NM to the home of Marcial and Agatha (Valverde) Valdez. He was reared in Tucumcari and Fort Sumner, NM where he attended school. Marcial worked for Phillips Petroleum Oil Company for several years. He traveled throughout the western U.S. and made his home in Utah, Oregon, Amarillo, TX, Albuquerque, NM. Following his retirement he made his home in Fort Sumner in 1998. Marcial loved fishing at the Bosque Redondo Lake south of Fort Sumner. He also enjoyed gardening. He is preceded in death by his parents and two infant sons Salomon and Jose Valdez. Survivors include his longtime companion Frutosa Madrid of Fort Sumner; nine daughters Margaret Garcia and husband Joe of Borger, TX; Helen Artz of Salt Lake City, UT; Gloria Ortiz and husband Dee of Palm Desert, California; Mary Shafer and husband Dennis of Clovis; Estella Turner of Clovis; Esperanza Gallegos and husband Richard of Clovis; Yvonne Goldik and husband Warren of Clovis; Marietta Valdez of Clovis; Sylvia Lucero of Santa Fe, NM; one son Marcial Valdez of Clovis. Also surviving is a brother George Valdez and wife Sue of St. Louis, MO; 29 grandchildren, 62 great-grandchildren and 10 great-great-grandchildren along with a host of other relatives and many friends. A rosary will be recited at 7:00 PM Friday, February 18, 2011 from St. Anthony Catholic Church in Fort Sumner, NM. Mass will be celebrated from the church at 9:00 AM Saturday, February 19, 2011 with burial following at St. Anthony Cemetery, Father Sotero A. Sena will officiate. Pallbearers will include Richard Gallegos, Richard Gallegos III, Joe Garcia, Bart Artz, Marcial Artz, Richard Terrell, Melynyce Romero and Marissa Gallegos. Arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 830 N. Fifth Street; Fort Sumner, NM. (575) 355-2311. To place an online tribute, or sign the guest book please visit www.chavezfuneralhome.com