Joel Valadez, age 43, of Cupertino, CA (formerly of Blanket, TX) was embraced by Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior, on April 6, 2012, Good Friday. Funeral services will be held at 9:00am, Saturday, April 14, 2012, in St. Mary’s Catholic Church of Brownwood. Father Francis Njoku will officiate the service. Pallbearers will include nephews: Cameron, Chaz, & Justin Bastardo, and cousins: Adam Pena, Adrian Pena, Viviano Ayala, and Tony Valadez. Burial will follow in Blanket Cemetery. Visitation is scheduled for Friday, April 13, 2012, from 6:00 until 8:00pm, at Davis-Morris Funeral Home, with a rosary beginning at 7:00pm.

Joel Martin Valadez was born May 6, 1968, in Brownwood, to Joe Ismael Valadez, Jr. and Anna Belle Aguirre Valadez. Joel graduated from DeVry Institute of Technology. He started his career with EDS as a Data Management Technician and finished his career at Ariba Inc. working as an Information Technology Specialist. Joel attended the Search for Christian Maturity program in 1984. He helped to touch many lives of friends and family by guiding them into Gods loving arms.

A befitting quote from Joel’s 1986 Yearbook:

Flashbacks

Yesterday’s memory of days gone by,

Life’s Dream, Death’s Sorrow,

So quickly they pass.

For time will not wait—

We must live to remember.

Joel was preceded by his baby brother Jesus David Valadez. He was cared for by his entire family until his passing.

Survivors include: his parents, 3 brothers; Joe Ismael Valadez III (Poggi, Italy), John Angel Valadez (Arlington, Texas), Jeremy Don Valadez (Sunnyvale, California), a sister; Melissa Michelle Valadez (Brownwood, Texas), 3 nephews; Cameron, Chaz, and Justin Bastardo, and a niece; Janessa Bastardo.