Funeral Mass for Phillip Valdez, age 66, of Early, will be at 2:00 PM, Thursday, June 13, 2013 at St. Mary Queen of Peace Catholic Church.  Burial will follow in Greenleaf Cemetery.  The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday evening from 6:00 until 8:00 with recitation of the Holy Rosary to start at 7:00.

Phillip quietly passed away on Friday, June 7, 2013 in Brownwood, surrounded by his family.

Phillip was born in Brownwood on March 12, 1947 to Jesus and Lucia Valdez.  He attended Brownwood schools and worked for Burlington-Northern-Santa Fe Railway.  He enjoyed working for Santa Fe because it allowed him the opportunity to travel all over Texas.

Phillip enjoyed traveling, jamming with his guitar, loved the oldies rock and roll, cruising in his pick-up with Leslie (the love of his life), listening to Chuck Berry, Johnny Cash, and The Animals and he loved God.  He also loved his family and his pets, Pinto, RoJux, Suki and Puppito.

Phillip has four brothers, John, Rafeal, Pete and David, all of Early; sisters, Christina Garcia of Brownwood, Katarina Valdez of Early, Brenda and Todd James of Tyler, and Juna Gallyo of Early and sister-in-law Mary Valdez of Early.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister Toni Valdez, brothers, Daniel, Frank, Jesse and Joe, and an uncle, Rafael Valdez.

Heartland Funeral Home of Early is in charge of arrangements.