Mr. David Anthony Valdez, Sr. fell asleep in the Lord on September 23, 2023 with family by his side at Providence Alaska Medical Center after complications of long term illness. He was 82 years old. David was born on October 14, 1942 to Demecio J. Valdez and Lucille Lujan in Denver, Colorado.

David attended seminary at a young age in New Mexico, later finished his GED, and served in the US Air Force before beginning his long career. In Denver, Colorado he met and fell in love with the late Gladys K. Valdez who he married on September 28, 1963 which was his sweetheart for over 59 years before her death on February 27, 2020.

David truly loved his family and worked hard to support and instill in them a love and devotion for God and sense of self determination. David is known best for his genius, truly beautiful mind and extraordinary sense of humor. When he wasn’t working hard David loved singing, fishing and hunting. He sang for the Pope in 1980's who visited Alaska with the Aleutian and Russian Orthodox choir, University of Alaska Fairbanks Choir and many others.

One thought he regularly shared was to finish his personal story he called, “Upstream without a Paddle”. David served as the Executive Director of the State of Alaska Housing Authority in the 1980’s and Executive Director of the Santa Barbara Minority Business Development Center where he often also volunteered his time with youth at various Universities and later as a SBA volunteer SCORE mentor. After these positions - David worked on his own in business and real estate. David was a constant advocate for family and close friends and there to defend, protect or share words of wisdom through many conflicts on our journey.

David Valdez is preceded in death by his wife Gladys Valdez, parents Demecio J. Valdez and Lucille Lujan Valdez Pechner, and sister Regina Maria (Valdez) Martens. He was loved by his three children Deborah (Valdez) Kvasnikoff and husband Pat, Carolyn Valdez. and David Valdez, Jr. His joy was with his grandchildren Lainey and husband Logan Bowers, Joshua Valdez, and great grandchild Nevaeh Vaughn. He loved his siblings Ben and late Shelly Valdez, Joseph (Michael) and wife Delores Valdez, Veronica (Valdez) and husband Bill Van Orman, Deborah (Pechner) Weilert, Rachael (Pechner) and husband Dan Feinberg, Lenny Pechner and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

David Valdez Funeral Services will be held at Saint Innocent Russian Orthodox Church at 401 Turpin Road at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, October 2, 2023 with a viewing beginning at 10:30 am and reception immediately following at the church.  Please bring a dish. Due to scheduling he will be buried on Tuesday, October 3, 2023 at Fort Richardson National Cemetary at 10:00 a.m with Priest and family. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Saint Innocent Russian Orthodox Cathedral here at: https://www.sicanc.org. 

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