Gilroy native Karl Valdez died in his home on Friday, Jan. 23,
2004. He was 55 years old.
Gilroy native Karl Valdez died in his home on Friday, Jan. 23, 2004. He was 55 years old.
Mr. Valdez was a seventh-generation Californian. Mr. Valdez was a Gilroy High School graduate. He was also a member of the United States Navy and was stationed on the USS Mattaponi (AO-41) during the Vietnam War. Mr. Valdez then resided in Gilroy and worked in many trades. He worked for Garden Valley Foods, The Garlic Room, Sportsman’s, Gilroy Foods, Ducor and was a volunteer for the Gilroy Garlic Festival Gourmet Alley for 24 consecutive years.
He is survived by his daughter Melissa Marie Valdez of Gilroy; stepson Christopher Jacob VanBuren of Squaw Valley; mother Henrietta Valdez; sisters Amy Valdez-Batty, Rita Doherty of Gilroy and Lori Valdez of Morgan Hill; brothers Alan Valdez of Gilroy, Ralph Valdez of Aromas, Steve Moore of San Jose, Larry Valdez of Fresno; brothers-in-law Dieter Batty, Phil Gervasio and Paul Doherty, all of Gilroy, and Tim Reimer of Morgan Hill; sisters-in-law Donna Valdez of Aromas, Mary Valdez of Fresno and Judy Moore of San Jose; nephews Isaac and Fred Gervasio, Jacob and Nicholas Batty, Jason Doherty, Tim Reimer, David and Glen Grimes, Dwayne Roberts and Larry Hernandez; nieces Jana Doherty-Hernandez, Sarah and Becky Valdez, Margaret Roberts, Marlene and Cindy Moore, Angela Reimer, Elena Valdez and Debi Swanson; and numerous great-nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his father Ralph Valdez and brother Alfred Valdez who was killed in the Vietnam War.
Burial services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 2, at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Gilroy.
