Judge Manuel Valles Sr.

Judge Manuel Valles Sr., of Odessa, has gone to be with the Lord. He will be reunited with his wife, Esperanza; his parents, Vidal and Raquel Valles; and his sisters Gloria and Elena who he lost at a young age.

“Judge”, as he was affectionately known by all his friends, passed away Saturday, January 15, 2011. He was born in Stanton, TX on May 13, 1933, to parents Vidal and Raquel Valles.

He married Esperanza Esparza in Lea County, New Mexico, on August 5, 1956, and had five children that were born and raised in Odessa.

Manuel moved to Odessa in 1946 from Stanton with his family at an early age and was one of the first Hispanic families to settle in Odessa. Upon his arrival he started working at the Odessa American as a paperboy. He was always very ambitious in business and always wanted to learn something new. He went to work at Odessa Printing and later opened his first business Easy Snap Business Forms. In 1967 he went to work for Shoemaker Real Estate and learned and operated in the real estate business until his death. He was considered a Hispanic pioneer by his peers.

In 1968 he was elected to an unexpired term to the office of Justice of the Peace, Precinct 4. He was elected to serve the people of Ector County until his retirement in 1995.

The Judge was involved in several community functions and loved the Southside of Odessa. He was a Charter Member of the Basin Lions Club, Pan American Scholarship Committee, Woodson Boys and Girls Club of Odessa and the Odessa Chuck Wagon Gang. He followed the local sports teams and was partial to baseball. He inspired many young individuals and saw them grow into very productive citizens over the years. He also performed numerous wedding ceremonies during and after his judgeship.

He attended and received honorary degrees from Lamar University and Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos. He served in numerous capacities for the Texas Justice of the Peace and Constables Associations and was elected President of the Association in 1989.

He is survived by his children and grandchildren; David, of Houston, and his three daughters; Davina, Celina, and Denna Valles, all of Midland; Vidal “Billy” Valles (Rosalina) and his son Billy Valles Jr; stepchildren Camila and Elias Alvarado, all of Pecos; Manuel Jr and his children, Manuel III and Brianna of Odessa; his daughters, Rosie and sons Matt, of Odessa, and Michael Castellon, of Dallas; and daughter Sophia and her children; Adrienna, Zeke and Raquel Valles, all of Odessa; and two great grandchildren, Anthony and Giselle.

A Rosary will be said at 7 p.m. Tuesday at St Anthony’s Catholic Church. Services will be at 2pm Wednesday at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church with the Father Joe Uecker presiding. Christian burial will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery.

The family would like to thanks for the outpour of prayers, gifts, and food offerings from friends and family.

Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home will be in charge of the services.