Richard J. Valdez

Richard J. Valdez, 41, passed away suddenly on October 6, 2004. He was a loving husband, father, son, brother, brother-in-law, son-in-law, uncle and friend.

Survivors include: wife, Sharon; son, Justin; father, Ruben E. Valdez; mother, Margaret Smith; stepmother, Marsha Whitener-Valdez; his brothers and their spouses, Ruben D. and Dorothy Valdez and Joseph G. and Daisy Valdez; his sisters and their spouses, Kim and Pat Weller, LaRayne and Carlos Gonzalez and Bevin Valdez; parents-in-law, George and Joy Cooley; sister and spouse, Linda and John Habel; plus several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

Richard was employed with Schneider National Inc. as a senior service team leader in Woodhaven, Mich., where he was living and working at the time of his death.

He attended seventh and eighth grade in Warden, Wash. He graduated from Lawton High School in Lawton, Okla., then graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1986. He served in the U.S. Navy for 12 years and two tours in the Persian Gulf, sweeping for mines. He coordinated rescue efforts using military personnel when a ferry overturned in the Bahamas.

Rick was a red belt in Karate.

He will be greatly missed by the many people who knew and loved him.