Joe Flores Valdez

Joe Flores Valdez, born July 16, 1945, in Los Angeles, California, passed away on the morning of August 1, 2024. He is a husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother, cousin, and member of the community who will be deeply missed. Married on May 1, 1982, to Conni J. Killion, they had two daughters, Michelle Valdez (Ralph Kaelble) and Nichole Valdez (Matthew Chastain), and two sons, Zachariah Valdez and Jonathan Valdez.

Joe proudly served his country, enlisting in the Army in 1965 and being part of Company C, 78th Signal Battalion. After his time in the army, he returned to California, where he worked for the Southern Pacific\Union Pacific Railroad for 40 years as a signalman. He was an avid horseman, breaking and training his own horses, and he shared his love for horses with his daughters, nieces, and nephews. An accomplished carpenter, Joe custom-built his own home in Atascadero, before moving later in life to be closer to his family in Hanford, CA. His Catholic faith was important to him; he was an active member of the Catholic Church and was a 4th Degree KC. His community was vital to him, and he spent considerable time volunteering in multiple roles that included but were not limited to being a Boy Scout leader, a Sunday School teacher, a parent volunteer, a volunteer for the American Legion, and many organizations such as 4-H, band, PTC.

Joe's love for his family was infinite. His role as a grandfather was a source of immense joy for him. He cherished every moment spent with his young granddaughter, Aviana Kaelble, and her older sisters, his granddaughters Alyssa and Rebecca Kaelble.

Joe is survived by a loving family who will continue to honor his memory. His wife of 42 years, Conni J. Valdez (Killion) of Hanford, CA, two daughters, Michelle Valdez (Ralph Kaelble) of Visalia, CA, and Nichole Valdez (Matthew Chastain) of Tacoma, WA, son Zachariah Valdez of Hanford, CA, granddaughters Aviana Kaelble, Alyssa Kaelble, and Rebecca Kaelble, sisters Ruth (Valdez) Burnias, Mary (Valdez) Garcia, and Jane (Valdez) Banegas, and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, cousins and extended family, all of whom he loved dearly.

He is preceded in death by his son Jonathan Valdez, parents Zenaida (Flores) and Jesse Valdez, brother Jesse Valdez Jr., sister Genevieve (Valdez) Quiroz, sister-in-law Carol Killion, and father-in-law Lewis Killion.

Services are scheduled for August 14th, 2024 as follows:

10:00 am Rosary with a 10:30 am Mass to follow at St Brigid's Catholic Church; 200 E Florinda St., Hanford, CA 93230

11:30 am Burial (Immediately following Mass) at Corcoran Cemetery; 4170 Waukena Ave., Corcoran, CA 93212

Celebration of Life (to Follow the Burial) at St. John’s Hall; 8301 8 1/2 Ave., Hanford, CA 93230

Bound

There's something strangely false in our assured, complete goodbye, for Love's the blood in the flesh of the soul and the soul will never die. So-friendly, fondly, as I may in God's approving view, I'll Call across eternity for messages of you.

Author: Carol Lynn Pearson