Alfred Alan Valdez

1958 - 2022

Alfred Alan Valdez, called Fred by his family, was born September 17, 1958, and passed away peacefully after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer on January 16, 2022, age 63. Alfred was born in Houston, TX and was the third son of four brothers. He was a sports fan from a young age and played on several baseball and football teams growing up and for the South Houston High School Trojans. He graduated from South Houston High School in 1977. He attended and graduated from Southwest Texas State University in 1982 majoring in Journalism, English, and History. He then married Jeanette Letson in 1983.

Alfred worked for the Pasadena Citizen as a News and Features writer. He also worked for the Baytown Sun as a Sportswriter in the 1980s. Alfred was a wordsmith, poet, and was a great writer. His Hispanic heritage and education were very important to Alfred. He was the first member of his family to earn a college degree. Later, Alfred went back to college in the early 90's for his Teaching Certification and then earned a Masters in Humanities at UH Clear Lake in 2001. Then he embarked on his life's calling as a High School English Teacher for Pasadena Independent School District.

Alfred taught AP English, Journalism, ESL, Hispanic Literature, American History, and Philosophy at Pasadena High School. He was honored in 2013/2014 as Pasadena High School Teacher of the Year. Alfred was selected as a National AP English Grader and served in this capacity over 10 years every summer. He later taught English at Dobie High School the rest of his teaching career.

Alfred loved teaching, encouraging young minds, and helping people find their voices. He was a father figure for hundreds of students over his teaching career. Normally, a soft-spoken man, he used his voice for social justice, protesting against violence, racial inequality, and bullying in schools. He was a great fan of rock music, literature, film, and sports. If you were ever on a trivia team with him, you would always win. Things he loved: His little dog Pico, his big TV, Athletic Shoes, Sports, the written word, and his Family. Of course, he was a diehard fan of the Houston Astros. Above all, he was a great Dad.

Alfred is survived by his wife of 39 years, Jeanette Letson Valdez, his children Angela M. Valdez and Daniel C. Valdez, his mother Elodia Valdez, and his three brothers Basilio Valdez Jr., Richard Valdez, and Gilbert R. Valdez and their families. All who love him and will miss him dearly.

Services for Alfred will be a Rosary Service on Thursday, January 27, 10 am at St. Bernadette Catholic Church, 15500 El Camino Real, Houston, TX 77062. The Funeral Mass at St. Bernadette Catholic Church will begin immediately following at 10:30 am. Alfred will be laid to rest at Forest Park Cemetery in Webster at 1:00 pm. Guests are invited to a reception in his honor at St. Bernadette Catholic Church immediately following his burial.

The Valdez Family want to heartily thank the St. Bernadette Clergy and Staff, the St. Bernadette and St. Clare ACTS Community who have walked that mile and bore the load with us and for their generous support, Alfred's Dobie High School and Pasadena High School families, Helping Hands, and hundreds of friends and relatives for their love, kindness, and support. We are grateful beyond measure and thank you.

Crowder Funeral Home

111 E. Medical Center Blvd

Webster, TX 77598

281-280-9000