Jesse Joseph Valdez

Jesse Joseph Valdez passed away peacefully at Bickford of West Des Moines on September 9, 2019. Visitation will be on Monday, September 16, 2019 at McLaren’s Chapel in West Des Moines from 4 to 7 p.m. with a rosary at 7 p.m. Funeral mass will be held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, September 17, 2019 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in West Des Moines with burial at Jordan Cemetery.

Jesse was born on November 1st, 1932 in West Des Moines, Iowa to Manuel Valdez Sr. and Guadalupe (Sapien) Valdez. He was one of 13 siblings, raised in the Valley Junction area. Jesse graduated from Valley High School, and worked at Monarch Cement plant, retiring after 32 years. While a student at Valley High School, he was a standout basketball player. Jesse pitched for several Des Moines softball teams, most notably for the West Des Moines Mexican Eagles, and was inducted into the Des Moines Fast Pitch Softball Hall of Fame. He enjoyed watching golf, basketball, and football. His favorite college team was Notre Dame. Jesse also loved watching old time westerns. He was an avid golfer and also spent a great deal of time fishing with his friends and nephews. Jesse also had a love for music and dance. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, and attended mass faithfully. He was an Army veteran and served in the military police while stationed in Panama and later in the Army Reserves. Jesse received the National Defense Service Medal and was a member of the West Des Moines American Legion Post #620.

Jesse was known for his quick wit and sense of humor. Family and friends share numerous stories of his crazy antics and jokes. His love and devotion for his family, especially his nieces and nephews who considered him a second father, were the most important to Jesse. He was fiercely protective of his family and could always be counted on to help when needed.

Jesse is survived by his brothers, Manuel Jr. and Darrell (Benita) Valdez; sister, Frances Gallardo; many nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly and to whom he remained an influential part of their lives. He was preceded in death by his father, Manuel Sr.; mother Guadalupe; siblings, Jesse (infant) Freddy (infant), Eula, Emily, Esperanza, Aurora, Joseph, Louise, and John. Memorial contributions may be made to the family for a future designation.