Jose Domingo Paz

Jose Domingo Paz Valladares was born on March 13, 1956 to Jose Domingo Paz Cienfuegos and Zoila Josefina Valladares Lucero in Puerto Barrios, Guatemala. He was the fourth born among his siblings, preceded by Maria Ester who predeceased him, Carlos Ricardo “Chino” and Luz Elena. After Jose, three children were born to the family; Mirza Raquel, Manuel Adolfo, who was by Jose’s side until the end, and Rosa Amalia.

In his youth Jose enjoyed the activities offered as member of the Boy Scouts with his brother Manuel, and as a young adult delighted in motorcycle adventures with his friends.

In 1975 Jose married Sandra Jannette Gamboa Luna, a young girl from his neighborhood whom he met a few years prior. Together the young couple overcame many adversities and approached 45 years of marriage. Jose followed in his father’s footsteps and worked at the Guatemala phone company, “Guatel” for ten years. Following this, he worked briefly as a switchboard operator at “Hospital Roosevelt.” Three children, Jose Estuardo, Gersson Daniel and Melida Jannette were born to the new couple. Early on in his marriage, Jose came to a saving knowledge of God and led his young family in the Christian faith.

In 1984 Jose emigrated his family to Southern California. He worked at his brother, Chino’s garment delivery service until 1988 when he took a job as a courier. On the advice of his brother, Manuel, Jose applied and was hired on to LACRTD as a Bus Operator in 1989. He drove buses until 2006 and promoted to a Train Operator that year where he operated the Red Line subway in Los Angeles, transporting Angelenos from Downtown LA to North Hollywood for twelve years. Jose viewed providing for his family with a strong sense of duty and this was evident in his work ethic. In 2018 he retired from LA Metro after 28½ years.

Jose was very passionate about his many and diverse hobbies. From what he learned from his father and his tenure at Guatel, he developed an interest in electricity and electronics. He was adept in all things related to crafting and modeling, dabbling in everything from model rockets to remote-controlled planes, helicopters, boats and cars. Jose also developed an interest in gardening, especially the training of Bonsai trees of which he accumulated a garden full. Coupled with his love of model trains, he pursued a new interest in garden railroads and worked to build a large backyard landscape to display his various trains.

Those who knew him would agree that Jose was loving yet reserved. He was introverted yet intimate and friendly with those closest to him. He always shared a smile and a show of respect to those around him. Jose valued family and made time to spend with his children. He brought them into his hobbies and shared with them through model-building and family outings. As his family grew, Jose shared these same valuable moments with his grandchildren to their delight and admiration.

To the satisfaction of Jose and Sandra, their children started families of their own. His son, Jose married Rosa Adriana Flores, Gersson married Angelina Renee Montoya and Melida married Mario Nathanial Gaspar. Jose’s four grandsons and five granddaughters are Dalziel Estuardo, Joshua Daniel, Yamileth Ivanna, Aadan Daniel, Isabella Jannette, Isaac Pete, Jannaliese Adriana, Miaah Renee and Sophia Grace who is expected in October of 2020.

His witty sense of humor, his anticipated sideways smile and his often-quiet manner will be greatly missed by everyone. Through his diligence, he created a legacy of faith, hope and love, and has left with us experiences and memories for a lifetime.