Samuel "Sammy" Valdez

SAMUEL “SAMMY” VALDEZ, 54 of Radium Springs, and formally of Las Uvas Valley unexpectedly passed away on Monday, January 31, 2022.  Born in Deming, to Lasaro and Isabel Valdez on July 2, 1967, “Sammy” as he was fondly known to family and friends began working for Gary Shiflett in his teenage years which kickstarted his passion for Agriculture and a lifelong career of farming. He farmed for 38 years and loved what he did to the fullest. He made sure to have his own garden and multiple trees outside his home in Radium Springs. Sammy loved to sit outside after work watering, drinking a beer and listening to music.

Sammy is survived by his loving wife Sandra of 32 years and their 3 children, Karina Briscoe (Dimitri) of Fort Worth, TX., Stacey Ramirez (Gerardo) of Dona Ana and Erik Valdez of Radium Springs. As well as his favorite little people his grandchildren, Aaliyah, Rey, Aaden, Teigan, Makaylee, Avianna, Donnyvyn, and Gianna. He is also survived by his siblings; Johnny, Virginia, and Gloria, 2 aunts, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins; his mother-in-law, Virginia Bustamante and numerous friends. Sammy is preceded in death by his parents Lasaro and Isabel Valdez; his father-in-law Concepcion “Chon” Bustamante, and niece Ashley Valdez.

Sammy was a force of nature, determined to provide for his family and give them the life he felt they deserved. His family meant more to him than anything in the world, something he often mentioned.

He was a very religious man and was strong in his Catholic Faith, Sammy was a member of the Knights of Columbus at The Cathedral of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Anyone who knew Sammy knew he had a passion for fishing. He was a real jokester and loved to joke around and just laugh with everybody he met.  

Visitation for Sammy will begin at 10 AM Wednesday, February 9, 2022 at Our Lady of All Nations Mission, 1993 Rincon Road, in Rincon with Recitation of the Holy Rosary at 10:30 AM. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated immediately thereafter with the Reverend Ivan Torres Celebrant. The Rite of Committal and Interment will follow at Gardens of Memories Cemetery in Hatch where he will be laid to rest in the family plot. 

Serving as casket bearers will be Erik Valdez, Gerardo Ramirez, Dimitri Briscoe, Armando Gomez, Aaden and Rey Anthony Valdez. Honorary bearers will be Pancho Cabrales, Rigo Varela and Gary Shiflett.

Service arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Baca’s Funeral Chapels of Las Cruces, 300 E. Boutz Road, 527-2222. Your exclusive provider for “Veterans and Family Memorial Care.” For online condolences logon to www.bacasfuneralchapelslascruces.com