Modesto Valdez

Weslaco-Modesto Valdez, 85, passed away on Tuesday, January 9th, 2018. He was born on February 25th, 1932 to Casimiro and Raquel Valdez in Edcouch. Modesto lived in Edcouch when he was a child and later moved to Weslaco after a fire destroyed the family home. Modesto learned his work ethic at an early age, when he would go to work with his father at McManus produce. He would help his father throughout his teenage years. It was about this time he met his future wife, Andrea, when she was also working in downtown Weslaco. The young adults were married on August 27, 1950 and would spend the rest of their lives together. Modesto and Andrea raised their family in Weslaco. They were blessed with five children. Andrea worked in retail, while Modesto was an entrepreneur. He learned a lot working at McManus and grew his own prosperous produce business, MC Valdez Produce. He had a niche market, purchasing left over cabbage and cantaloupes from local farmers for cash and taking it north to sell it for profit. He was well known in the produce industry and before long, many farmers sold all of their crops to him for cash. The family was also very involved in the business, spending their summer vacations, selling crops all over West Texas. The family was rewarded with many nice trips all over Mexico. They traveled from Mexico City to Cancun, Cozumel, Acapulco and Ixtapan Hot Springs, to name a few. Modesto has very close relatives who were tour guides, which made the travel even more special. Modesto will mostly be remembered by his strong work ethic. His hobby was work, but when he had some down time, he did enjoy taking Andrea dancing, but always the "tardeadas", which were afternoon dances, because work came early in the morning. He also loved antique cars. There were a few purchases along the summer route and Modesto would bring them home and of course, work very hard to fix them up and make them look like new. He enjoyed a good barbeque and visiting with friends and family. Modesto is preceded in death by his parents, Casimiro and Raquel Valdez, son Rolando Valdez and his wife Dahlia, brothers in law, Rogelio, Francisco, and Elijeo Cavazos, sisters in law, Angelita Zepeda, Mague Rosales, Ninfa Cavazos, and Maria (Eduardo) Macias. He is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Andrea, children, Ruben Valdez of San Antonio, Yolanda V Cortez (Robert) of Houston, Robert Valdez (Terry) of Weslaco, Ruby Lopez of Weslaco, grandchildren, Crystal, Carla, Karyme, and Kate Lopez of Weslaco, Robert Jr. (Jackie) of Mercedes, Brittny Valdez of Weslaco, Robert Cortez Jr. of Houston, Cynthia Barajas (Anthony) of Houston, Michael Cortez (Desiree) of Houston, Ricardo Valdez (Rosa) of San Antonio, Raquel Hernandez (Jose) of San Antonio, Ruben Valdez Jr. of San Antonio, Sandi Diperro (Chris) of Phoenix, Raymie (Walter) Barrios of Progreso, Aileen Arriaga (Anthony) of San Antonio, and Rebecca Martinez (Rene) of San Antonio, great-grandchildren, Robbie and Shelby Valdez, and Cameron Cortez, Christian, Ryan, and Aiden Barajas, Rocky, Rambo, and CJ Valdez, Rolando and Dahlia Barrios, and Alyssa and Ashley Valdez, brothers, Amado Valdez of Donna, Adolfo Manuel Valdez (Cecilia) of Weslaco, sister, Raquenel Morales (Israel+) of Weslaco, brother in law, Roberto Cavazos (Belen) of Weslaco, and numerous nephews and nieces. Modesto will always be remembered as a dedicated husband and father, who demonstrated that hard work and courage would be rewarded with success and respect. Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 11th, from 10am-9pm at McCaleb Funeral Home Chapel, with a rosary at 7 pm. Funeral mass will be held on Friday, January 12th, 2 pm, at St. Joan of Arc in Weslaco, with burial to follow at Highland Memorial Park in Weslaco.