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Juan Valdez Obituary
Valdez died peacefully Saturday at his Canjilon ranch after recently suffering two heart attacks, his daughter Juanita Montoya said.
Heir to a northern New Mexico land grant, Valdez was 29 years old when he and a group of land grant advocates, led by Reies Lopez Tijerina, raided a Rio Arriba County courthouse in Tierra Amarilla. Their goal was to attempt a citizens' arrest of then-District Attorney Alfonso Sanchez over Hispanic land rights issues.
Valdez had gotten involved with Tijerina's group, known as Alianza Federal de Mercedes — an organization founded to help Mexican-American heirs to old Spanish land grants reclaim land that was illegally taken by white settlers and the U.S. government.
"Tijerina impressed me when he and most of the people who had walked from Albuquerque set up a camp and refused to leave," Valdez told retired lawyer Mike Scarborough in the book "Trespassers On Our Own Land," an oral history of the Valdez family.
During the raid, it was Valdez who shot and wounded state police officer Nick Saiz after the officer went for his pistol and refused commands by Valdez to put his hands up.
"It came down to, I shoot him or he was going to shoot me — so I pulled the trigger," Valdez said in the book. "Lucky for both of us, he didn't die."
The raiders also beat a deputy and took a sheriff and reporter hostage.
After holding the courthouse for a couple of hours, the armed group fled to the mountains as the National Guard and armored tanks chased them.
Valdez was convicted of assault but was later pardoned by Gov. Bruce King.
The episode cemented Valdez and Tijerina's legacy among activists from the Chicano Movement of the 1970s who favored more radical methods of fighting discrimination over those of the moderate Mexican American civil rights leaders a generation before.
"He loved the attention," said Montoya, 48. "He wanted people to know our history and what happened to our land."
Valdez is survived by his wife, Rose Valdez, and seven of his eight children.
RUSSELL CONTRERAS,Associated Press
Copyright © 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
50 Entries
Deborah Ulibarri
June 16, 2025
After all this time, we love and miss you Dad. Until we see you again. Rest in peace. Your legacy lives on.
September 28, 2012
Ofrezco mis condolencias. Cobren animo. Dios promete una resurrecion.
Juan Valdez Giving His Wife, Rose, a Besito
Mike Scarborough
September 6, 2012
Mike Scarborough
September 5, 2012
Juan, my friend, you left us way to soon.
Thank you for the honor and opportunity to help you write your family history. It will always be one of the high-lights of my life.
You were a courageous fighter for the land grants and served a very important role in standing up for the rights of your people against virtually impossible odds.
Every day I think of comments you have made over the past thirty years. Statements like, "I'm interested in the tomorrows not the yester-days," "no person should dislike someone because of their race, after all God made all people the way he wanted them to be, and it is not right for any of us to not like someone just because of the race God made them;" never talk bad about the sun, God put it there to keep us warm, to see where we are going and to help us grow food. He didn't put it there for us to complain about;" "all I want, for our people, for our children and grandchildren, and their children and grandchildren, is to have the same opportunities that other people have,for the government to return our land so that maybe some day our children will realize that there really is an American Dream: that with hard work and a good education our children will be able to live that dream;" and finally, "I will die in peace,Mike if while I'm alive I see the government start to correct all the wrong things it has done to our people."
Unfortunately, Juan, you did not live to see the changes you so wanted for your people but please rest in peace my friend, while we carry on your lifelong effort for fairness and equality.
How you can show support
Cecilio Guerrero
September 5, 2012
Thanks to Juan for his contributions to the hispanic society.
LM García y Griego
September 4, 2012
To Rose, the children and grandchildren: You new him best. The Juan Valdez I knew was an extraordinary man capable of great sacrifice for others. May he and you find peace.
SHORTY KOPPELMAN
September 3, 2012
The Koppelman's loved your coffee..Rest on with our savior..Jesus
Juanita Valdez de Montoya
September 1, 2012
Dearest Dad,
I love you so much. Being your eldest daughter was such a blessing. I am not going to sugarcoat anything because God knows you and I had our ups and downs. Although, right now I can not remember any of our down moments. I also want you to know I have no regrets. I will never forget the last time I saw you two days before your passing. I was leaving your house and I walked up to you and gave you a hug, a kiss on the cheek, and told you "I loved you." We hugged longer then usually and you told me "I love you too mi hita." That coming from a man who never used the words "I Love you" a lot, meant the world to me. May you rest in peace mi papacito de mi vida.
C.S
September 1, 2012
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Deborah Ulibarri
August 31, 2012
Many people admired you for your courage and loved you for your heart. I love you daddy!
Deborah Ulibarri
August 31, 2012
Love you dad
August 30, 2012
To the family of Juan Valdez:
God bless you during your time of loss and sorrow.
Pearl lopez Delgado
August 30, 2012
~Keeping family memories
cherish them forever~
God bless you Juan Valdez
and thier family'cousins
Jose R. Tarango
August 30, 2012
My condolences to all the Valdez family. Descanse en paz hermano.
August 30, 2012
To the family of Juan Valdez may God give you omfort and peace by means of prayer - Philipians 4:6,7. My deepest sympathy
Brown Buffalo
August 30, 2012
Juan Valdez was a hero. He was one of my heroes. Descanza en paz...
Luis
August 30, 2012
First, may he rest in peace my brother Juan Valdez. I did not know about this courageous man until right now. He should be in the history books. He stood up what was right and defended his ground as citizen of this nation. My condolences to all the family of Juan.
Mike C
August 30, 2012
You have now discovered what we will all learn in time. In the presence of God, we are all the same no color, no fight for equality, no more need for justice. May you dwell in the Presence of the Most High in peace.
Trini & Lorraine Sanchez
August 30, 2012
Tia Eva, & Valdez Family,
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Mary Helen Pena
August 30, 2012
He accomplished so much then, now , and for generations to come. My thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones.
Judy Richards
August 30, 2012
to the family of juan valdez:
please accept my deepest condolences on the loss of your loved one. what a brave man to stand up for what is right!! i so admire this man and didn't even know him. my heart swells with pride for what he stood for. rest in peace JUAN VALDEZ! AND GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU!
Paula Bautista
August 30, 2012
Gracias Juan por todo.
Rita Ramirez
August 30, 2012
My condolences to Juan Valdez family. I never met Mr. Valdez, but he was a very brave and couragous man. And stood for what is right. Rest in Peace Juan Valdez.
susana martinez
August 30, 2012
My greatest love and sympathy to the family. My prayers and thoughts are with you. Love you....
Joseph Moody
August 30, 2012
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Barb
August 30, 2012
With deepest sympathy to family of Juan Valdez and may you find comfort in God's inspired word the Bible (2 Timothy 3:16).
Ruth Reed
August 30, 2012
Iam very sorry to hear about the lose of your ove one,my condolence to the family at this time Act 10:34,35 and Psalm 90:10.Act 24:15.
Martha Montez
August 30, 2012
Such a brave man,and thank you for opening many doors. May you rest in peace. Strength to your family
JULIE ROSARIO
August 30, 2012
JUAN YOUR NAME IS SO POPULAR. MY DAD'S NAME IS ALSO JUAN AND OTHER CLOSE FRIENDS. MAY YOU REST IN PEACE. YOU HAD GREAT COURAGE FOR WHAT YOU BELIEVED IN. YOUR IN A BETTER PLACE MAY YOUR SOUL BE HAPPY. GOD BLESS.
Brenda Santistevan-Fenton
August 30, 2012
Please accept my deepest sympathies at this very difficult time. Mr. Valdez was a man among men! He stood up for what was proper and just! May the grace of God comfort you all!
August 30, 2012
My deepest sympathy to the family of Juan Valdez. (John.11:43,44)
Betty Chicago IL.
August 30, 2012
May the God of all comfort give strength during this trialsome time, my deepest condolences.
Sunny Crips
August 30, 2012
Be very proud that you share his genes. To stand up for what is right but "against the law" takes guts. Honor, Truth and Integrity are a special kind of gift. It is an honor to have those traits in your genetics... continue the work and pass it on
August 30, 2012
I am sorry for your loss.He is in God's remembrance.
Linda
August 30, 2012
To the the family of Juan Valdez - May God give you peace and comfort through his word and the Lord Jesus Christ during this time of sorrow, I know that he will be missed by many.
Lola Castillo
August 30, 2012
Querido Companero Juan, aunque nunca te conoci en persona, te tengo muchisimo respeto and admiracion por tu involucramento en el movimiento Chicano y la lucha de los terrenos con Reis (y Patsy) Lopez Tijerina. I was a teenager who was also involved in the Chicano movement in Houston, Tejas and had the privilege of meeting Tijerina at the Raza Unida Party national conference in El Paso in the 70's. I thank you for your contribution in bringing about a positive and much needed change in our society and to the Valdez family, my condolences go out to you during this most difficult time.
T F
August 30, 2012
Rest in Peace. Descansa en Paz.
Victoria&Andrew ~:~
August 29, 2012
Circle of life
Rest in Serene peace
upon the new Spiritual
Light Shine on friend
Brother of many
God bless you &all your
Dearly Beloved
Mr.Juan Valdez~
Via con dios say Hello to all my loved ones who are in a new lighted ;Heavens
inside the Spiritual life *:*
Julian Prada
August 29, 2012
In deepest sympathy, your friend Julian Prada.
August 29, 2012
May he rest in peace
Kathalyn Malone
August 29, 2012
I only knew Mr Valdez from Las Clinicas del Norte. He was very kind to me. He would proudly tell how he was blessed with his wife and children, as well as telling me northern New Mexico folk stories, stories of his childhood and his life. Rest in peace Mr. Valdez. It was an honor to make your acquaintance. May your heavens be filled with mountain land and clean water that no man and no governement tries to take from you.
Marian
August 29, 2012
Job asked? If a able bodied man should die can he live again?
You will call, And I myself will answeryou. For the work of your hands you will have a yearning. Like Job Mr.Juan Valdez can look forward to a time when god will call and he will answer.
T F
August 29, 2012
I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt sympathy to the family of Mr. Juan Valdez. When we lose loved ones in death we are naturally sad and our hearts yearn to see them. God's word speaks of a time when there will be no more tears, pain or death and that the former things will have passed away. The apostle John was told to write these words because they are faithful and true. I hope the thought of your loved one will bring you comfort and peace in the coming days.
August 29, 2012
To the family of Mr. Juan Valdez,
First, let me extend my condolences to you for the death of your loved one. I read that Mr. Valdez helped to start the Chicano movement. May you find hope and comfort in knowing that soon, under God's Kingdom, Jesus Christ will,'bind up the broken hearted and proclaim liberty to those taken captive'. Isaiah 61:1. During this time, lovers of justice and righteousness will prevail.
MARIA MAGDALENA "Maria Elena" BETANCOURT CHAPA
August 29, 2012
MY CONDOLENCES TO THE JUAN VALDEZ FAMILY. MAY HE REST IN PEACE, BRAVE GENTLEMAN.
ms
August 29, 2012
I'm so sorry for your loss. May your cherished memories bring you great comfort during this difficult time.
Romans 15:33
Love and Peace
David J Bhaltazhar Esq
August 29, 2012
Rest well brother.
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