Jose Valencia

COOLIDGE — Jose Maria Lopez Valencia, 86, of Coolidge died Sept. 22, 2009 in Casa Grande.

Visitation was from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at J. Warren Funeral Services, Cole & Maud Coolidge Chapel. Rosary was recited there at 9 a.m. Saturday, with the Rev. Marco Basulto officiating. Burial was in Valley Memorial Park.

Mr. Valencia was born May 15, 1923 in Tucson. He worked as a carpenter, for the city and also did farm and railroad work. He worked for Pinal County Housing in helping to build houses around the county and built his own. He was a hard worker and provided well for his family.

He loved his family and enjoyed visiting with them and friends. He had a great sense of humor until the end. He was very proud of his Yaqui heritage and loved to tell stories about his youth. He enjoyed Western movies, especially those with John Wayne. He enjoyed drawing landscapes and other pictures of the Southwest, Spanish music and playing guitar and singing.

Survivors include five daughters, Maria Alvarez of Casa Grande, Josephine Valencia, Virginia Gomez and Angie Valencia, all of Coolidge, and Esther Valencia of Phoenix; three sons, Antonio, Rosario and Estanislao Valencia, all of Coolidge; a sister, Elena Gil of Coolidge; a brother, Estanislao Molina of Coolidge; 62 grandchildren; 115 great-grandchildren; and seven great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Romana; three daughters, Elisa, Juanita and Cuka Valencia; three sons, Frank, Jose and Carlos Valencia; a sister, Carlotta Baumea; and two brothers, Guillermo Madril and Laudio Molina