Jesús Valdez

Jesús Valdez, Sr., 79, of St. Anne, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on February 17, 2024, while doing his daily morning exercise. Jesús was born June 16, 1944, in Matehuala, San Luís Potosí, México, the son of Jerónimo Valdez and Basilisa Rodriguez Valdez. Jesús immigrated to Laredo, Tx in 1946 at the age of 2. He began his working life as a migrant farmworker in 1951 at the age of 7. He went on to earn both a BA and MBA in business and had careers as an auditor, comptroller, plant manager, and after retiring, spent 2 years as a teacher and then the last few years as an independent interpreter and translator. He lived a life as described in Galatians 5:22-23 “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control…” His character reflected all these traits consistently throughout his life, loving his family and closest friends. Most importantly, he spent over 55 years married to his beloved wife, Nelda, dedicated to loving and serving her as described in Ephesians 5:25 “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her…” For the last 18 years, his greatest joy was delighting in his 5 grandchildren. Since the day each one of them was born, his face lit up with joy and love whenever he was around any or all of them. He loved to spend time with them, play with them, read to them, joke with them and play guitar with Lucas and give all the grandkids tractor rides, pulling them in a trailer around their large yard. Jesús led a life of integrity and transformed the course of his family, breaking free from poverty and living a life filled with love and service to his family. His earthly journey has ended, and he has moved on to eternity where he was welcomed before the throne to hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant." Jesús is survived by his loving wife, Nelda Valdez; sons, Jesús Valdez, Jr. (Sarah Irizarry), César Valdez (Meilan Goller); 5 grandchildren, Lucas, Marco, Valerie, Max and Cora; 2 siblings, Jorge Valdez and Antonieta Zavala. Our family would also like to extend a special thank you to Richard and Pam Harris who were like family for over 20 years to Jesús and Nelda. He was preceded in death by his parents; 3 siblings, Jerónimo Valdez, Lupita Valdez and José Alberto Valdez, Sr. Jensen Funeral Home in Kankakee is handling the arrangements. Cremation rites have been accorded.