Raul G. Valdez

November 25, 1941 – February 10, 2016

Raul G. Valdez went to be with his Lord on Feb. 10, 2016, in Tri-Cities, Wash. He was born on Nov. 25, 1941, to Matilda Gonzalez and Alfredo DeLeon Valdez in Los Ramones, Mexico. He was born the sixth of nine children, and his family moved to Texas when he was a young teenager. In the mid-1950s, Raul and many of his brothers moved to the Moses Lake, Wash. area. He met the love of his life, Francisca Sanchez, in Toppenish, Wash. They were married on April 23, 1964, and resided in Moses Lake for just over 40 years before relocating to the Tri-Cities 10 years ago.

Raul was a very hard worker, loyal and always dependable, willing to lend a helping hand to anyone who needed it. He worked at the U&I sugar plant for 10 years, Sunspiced Potatoes for 17 years, and Simplot for 13 years. He spent many summers doing field work with his family, eating Chico’s pizza on weekends, and visiting relatives in California as well as going to Disneyland. Raul enjoyed spending time with his family, playing the accordion, having coffee at McDonald’s, doing yard work, eating at the buffets, barbecuing, and listening to Spanish music.

Raul is survived by his wife of over 50 years, Frances; five children Lupe Valdez, Raul Valdez, Jr. (Tina), Yolanda Valentin (Juan), Maria Borjas (Lupe), and Ruben Valdez; brothers Luis Valdez and Nick Valdez; sister Maria Hernandez; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents Matilda and Alfredo; sister Elida Ledesma; and brothers Miguel Valdez, Juan Valdez, Alfredo Valdez, Jr, and Arnulfo Valdez.

God Saw You Getting Tired

God saw you getting tired

When a cure was not to be

So he closed his arms around you and

Whispered “Come to Me.”

You didn’t deserve what you went through,

So He gave you rest

God’s garden must be beautiful,

He only takes the best.

And when we saw you sleeping

So peaceful and free from pain,

We could not wish you back

To suffer that again.

Rest in peace, Raul. You touched the lives of so many people who will cherish their many memories of times spent together. Thank you for the smiles and laughter!

A viewing will be held Sunday, Feb. 14, 2016, from 3 to 8 p.m. at Mueller’s Tri-Cities Funeral Home, 1401 S Union St. in Kennewick, with rosary services at 6 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2 p.m on Monday, Feb. 15, 2016, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Kennewick.

The family invites you to sign their online tribute wall at www.muellersfuneralhomes.com.