Stephen Valderaz

Stephen “Flaco” Valderaz fought like hell to stay on this earth, but on January 7, 2021 he left this world to enter His kingdom.

Funeral Services will be 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 12, 2021 at Bible Baptist Church in Slaton.  Interment will follow at Englewood Cemetery in Slaton.  Social distancing and masks are required at the funeral home and church. There will not be a public viewing.   Arrangements are under the direction of Englunds Funeral Service of Slaton.

Steve was born to the late Antonio Valderaz and Martina Cisneros Valderaz on August 3, 1959.  Steve experienced loss from a young age when he lost his mother shortly after his birth.  He was raised by his maternal grandparents, Alejo & Candida Cisneros in Southland, TX, making him the 16th member of the family.

Steve was a huge dog lover and advocate for all life.  When people say, “Oh, he wouldn’t hurt a fly,” that was literally Steve; he felt even a fly’s life had meaning.  When his sister, Lupe, passed away in 2017, he and his wife, Lucy, of 30 years, gladly welcomed her dog, Blanca, into their home with Bandit until his death.  Bandit and Blanca came to live with Steve and Lucy after the death of their beloved dog, Linus.  Steve’s capacity for forgiveness was remarkable.  He was extremely family-oriented, loved fully and was fully loved by his family and friends.

Anyone who knew Steve would know he was “wickedly funny.”  His colorful language and quick sense of humor meant no one was off limits.  His use of an array of terms made him hilariously inappropriate at times, only adding to his charm.  He tried to refrain on Sundays, but sometimes a cuss word or ten would escape his lips.  He would catch himself and say something like, “Goo-googity goo & it’s Sunday”. 

Steve had a strong work ethic, working in construction for most of his adult life and rarely missed a day of work in over 30 years.  He retired in 2018.  All those years undoubtedly cultivated his sense of humor, adding to his wonderful character.

Steve is preceded in death by his parents, Antonio Valderaz and Martina Cisneros Valderaz & Alejo and Candida Cisneros and several siblings.  He is survived by his wife, Lucy of Southland, TX; step-mother Lupe Valderaz of Lovington, NM; brothers Macario Cisneros of Lubbock, TX, David Valderaz of Dallas, TX, Raul Valderaz of Lovington, NM; sisters Julia Arguello of Southland, TX, Gloria Kuzila of Farmersville, TX, Felipa Parras of Post, TX, Norma Hernandez of Lovington, NM, Yvonne Valderaz of Lovington NM; daughters Stephanie Reynolds of San Angelo, TX, Veronica Rodriguez of Lubbock, TX, Vanessa Arenivas of Slaton, TX; sons Jody and Jerry Hernandez of Lubbock, TX, Mike Hernandez of Slaton, TX and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity or animal rescue of your choice. 

P.S. It was a such great and tremendous honor to write this about my uncle (aka Tio). I was so profoundly grateful that my Tio accepted the Lord into his life on January 6th, 2021. He had his doubts, just like me, but found his way. It’s inspirational to know that wretches just like us can find salvation. My heart is broken because I will forever miss his daily visits, his uncanny way to make you laugh, his giant but, yet subdued presence, because he wasn’t about being center stage. His love, and sweet gestures to show it. Like, just as an example, when he gave me his winterized coveralls so I could keep warm in the winter or how he’d mow our lawns, or move huge objects with his big blue tractor or give away any number of items in his possession, because he could. My Tio was a no holds barred, tell it like it is man, who stood up for family and friends and wouldn’t back down until right was just. He is (yes present tense, because he was) a person who personified, solidified, upheld, and honored the Cisneros-Valderaz family names by being a warrior to keep the family intact, because family meant everything to him.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.