Ralph Raymond Valdez

Ralph Raymond Valdez, 81, of Aromas, California, departed this earth on January 29, 2022, following a short illness. He was hospitalized in Salinas, California at the time of death.

Born June 25, 1940, in San Jose, California, Ralph spent his formative years growing up in Gilroy, California. A graduate of Gilroy High School Class of 1958, he entered military service in the U.S. Navy in February 1960, serving in the Vietnam War. During his Navy service Ralph began working in the machinist trade and continued in this occupation throughout his working life of more than 40 years. He retired from Acosta Sheet Metal Manufacturing in San Jose, California.

Ralph was the oldest of nine children born to Ralph Butron Valdez and Henrietta (Acosta) Valdez and was affectionately known to his family as "Ralphie." In 1969, Ralph married Donna Lee Raasch, gaining a family through this union that brought Deborah (Cortez), David and Glenn Grimes into the newly joined household. In the following year, their daughter Margaret was born. Ralph and Donna acquired a property in Aromas, California, and with the help of family, built a home on a small farm where they lived for over 47 years. At the time of his passing, Ralph and Donna had been married for just over 52 years. They were long-time members of Salinas Valley Community Church.

From an early age, Ralph was an avid fisher and hunter, activities that he continued to enjoy into his adulthood. Family vacations often involved camping and fishing in the mountains. In his retirement years, Ralph looked forward to an annual trip each summer to visit his stepson David in Kake, Alaska. They enjoyed the great outdoors where they would fish for salmon and halibut.

Ralph was known in the country town of Aromas as the man who walked Simon the bull. Raising animals on his farm brought Ralph a lot of joy throughout his nearly five decades in Aromas. His collection of farm animals over the years included cattle, chickens, rabbits, sheep, geese, and barn cats. In recent years he and his stepson Glenn raised steer together. In recent years, a Corgi named Charlie became a cherished member of the household. When not tending to his farm animals, Ralph enjoyed cultivating his vegetable garden, dehydrating persimmons from his tree, and baking breads and cakes.

Ralph's greatest joys were his five grandchildren: Katie Swanson, Noah and Aaron Grimes, and Kali and Melia Roberts. It was okay if they didn't laugh at his silly jokes because he laughed enough for all of them. He never failed to entertain them with his finger trick. Ralph was blessed to meet his great-granddaughter, Harmony Rose Grimes, who turned one shortly before his passing.

Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Henrietta Valdez; his brothers Alan, Carl, and Alfred Valdez; and an infant sister, Sandra Valdez. He is survived by his wife Donna (Raasch); daughters Deborah Swanson and Margaret (Duane) Roberts; sons David and Glenn (Lori) Grimes; brother Larry Valdez; and sisters Rita (Paul) Doherty, Amy (Dieter) Batty, and Lori (Tim Reimer) Valdez; brother-in-law Michael Raasch; five grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and a large extended family of uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces, nephews, and countless friends and neighbors who will miss him.

In keeping with Ralph's pre-arranged wishes, his cremated remains were scattered at sea by the U.S. Coast Guard on behalf of the Neptune Society. A celebration of life will be held by his family in the near future.

Published in Gilroy Dispatch and The Pajaronian · March 14, 2022