Guadalupe Valenzuela
95, El Centro
Nov. 28, 1922 - June 18, 2018
Visitation will be from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Friday, June 29th at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, 153 E. Brighton Ave. in El Centro for long-time Valley resident Guadalupe “Lupe” Lerma Valenzuela, 95, of El Centro who died June 18 at ECRMC. Rosary will be said at 7 p.m. Friday, June 29th at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, June 30th at 7:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, Deacon Domingo Enriquez will officiate. Burial will be at Evergreen Cemetery in El Centro immediately following mass.
Lupe was born on November 28, 1922 in Julimes, Chihuahua, Mexico where his mother Josefa went to have him with her mother who still lived in Julimes. They returned back to Marfa, Texas after his birth. He was raised in Marfa, Texas and Artesia, New Mexico. His father passed away when he was a young boy. Lupe had to quit school to work in the cotton fields. As a young man when his older brothers moved to California he and his mother soon followed. He worked with his brothers as a laborer in the produce and construction industries. He worked hand loading rail cars and from his brothers he learned carpentry and welding. His family moved to the Imperial Valley to work here and it was in El Centro where he met the love of his life and future wife Petra.
On October 1, 1949, they were married in Merced, California. They moved throughout California following the crop seasons. They eventually settled back in El Centro where Lupe worked in the local crops of the Imperial Valley. Lupe built his family a home on E. Brighton Ave. in El Centro. He began working for Freedman Brothers working as a loader and eventually being in charge of maintenance. In the late 50’s Lupe and Petra bought a Shell service station on E. Main St. in El Centro. He closed that station and then began working again with Freedman and at a local cotton gin. He began working for Abatti Bros in the early 60’s as shed maintenance and foreman during the melon, watermelon, broccoli, asparagus and onion seasons. He worked for Abatti Produce for many years before retiring in 1997.
He enjoyed spending time with his wife Petra reminiscing about their younger days before she passed away in 2002. He enjoyed riding in his son Larry’s semi-truck and seeing the sights. He enjoyed going with his daughters on vacation trips especially a cross country Amtrak trip where he once again was able to see his childhood hometown of Marfa, Texas. He enjoyed his collection of old GMC Pick-ups and his collection of model cars and pick-ups. He enjoyed working on his ranch, tending to his many animals. He enjoyed watching his old cowboy movies and listening to his favorite singing cowboys and Mexican music. He also enjoyed going to casinos to play bingo with his daughters where at 93 he was still winning bingo jackpots.
He was a hard working man who dedicated his life to his family. He worked hard to give his children a good education. He met many people helping with the Washington Elementary School PTA. He was a faithful parishioner of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Parish. He helped build and repair things for the church and volunteered with his wife to run the church kitchen. He was loved by his family and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Rito and Josefa Valenzuela; brothers, Rito, David and Juan Valenzuela; sister, Petronila Paz; nephew, Father Ruben Valenzuela Sr. and great-nephew, Ray Valenzuela Jr.; his niece, Gloria Tapia; his wife Petra, his son Larry Valenzuela; granddaughter, Marisa Olvera.
Survivors include his daughters, Terry Valenzuela, Dolores Valenzuela, Cristina and Sebastian Mora and Lupita and Richard Pinnell; granddaughters, Andrea and Daniella and great-grandson, Joseph; sister-in law, Ramona De La Rosa; and many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to take this time to thank Dr. Reisin, Dr. Maholtra and the caregivers of Heart In Hand for the care of their father Lupe in his final days.