Tomas De La Rosa Valdez, 82, of Wilson, Texas, passed away peacefully on March 3, 2026.

iewing will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, March 9, 2026, at Englunds Funeral Chapel in Slaton, followed by a Rosary Service at 6:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Slaton, Texas. Interment will follow at Green Memorial Park Cemetery in Wilson. Arrangements are under the direction of Englunds Funeral Service of Slaton. 

Tomas was born on March 7, 1943, in Valle Hermoso, Tamaulipas, Mexico, to Gregorio and Juanita Valdez. On March 10, 1962, he married the love of his life, Sofia Sosa. Soon after their marriage, they moved to McAdoo, Texas, where Tomas farmed while also working as a custodian for McAdoo ISD until 1985. The family later moved to Patton Springs, where Tomas continued working for the school district and also worked as a mechanic. In 1995, they moved to Wilson, Texas, where Tomas continued farming until retiring in 2020. Tomas was known for his strong work ethic and generous heart. He enjoyed remodeling houses, working with his hands, and helping others whenever he could. He especially loved bringing his family together for large barbecues and gatherings filled with laughter and stories. Above all, Tomas loved his family deeply and spent his life working to provide for them and set an example of dedication, perseverance, and love. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Gregorio and Juanita Valdez; his brothers, Concepcion Valdez, Victor Valdez, and Eusebio Valdez; and his granddaughter, Araceli Valdez.

Those left to cherish his memory include his beloved wife, Sofia Valdez; his sons, Juan Valdez (Leti),Alfredo Valdez (Mari), Martin Valdez (Nancy), Tomas Valdez Jr. (Danielle), Arturo Valdez (Diana), Osbaldo Valdez (Crystal), Gerardo Valdez, and Ricardo Valdez; and his daughters, Vianey Gatica (Rey), Minerva Almanza (Hector), Ruby Duncan (Richard), Yesenia McWright (Scott), and Sofie Valdez. He is also survived by his sisters, Maria R. Valdez, Clara V. Anaya, Guadalupe V. Berlanga, and Francisca V. Enriquez; his brother, Hilario Valdez; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends. Tomas was blessed with a large and loving family and leaves behind 29 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren, who will continue to honor his memory and carry on the values he instilled in them. His legacy of hard work, kindness, and devotion to family will live on in all who knew and loved him.

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be.”

— John 14:1–3