Luciano "Capt. Johnny" Enrique Valdez

Luciano Enrique "Capt. Johnny" Valdez, 89, died on September 20, 2015. The son of Hercilia and Luciano Valdez, he was born and raised in Mexico and later became a lifelong resident of Brownsville.
At the age of 17, he enlisted in the US Army. An accomplished WWII veteran in the 4th Armored Division, he served under General Patton earning the awards of the Army of Occupation Medal, WWII Victory Medal, Bronze Star, Silver Star, and was a Rifle M-1 expert. He remained in Europe after the war, particularly in Germany, for several more years.
Mr. Valdez was a Master Sea captain of 26 years, having explored and traveled throughout the Gulf of Mexico, Amazon River basin, and Caribbean region eventually residing on the island of Barbados. Mr. Valdez moved back to Brownsville and transitioned into a career as a recognized top salesman of 20+ years with Sears. His retirement was spent leisurely driving throughout the Rio Grande Valley visiting with friends and family.
Mr. Valdez was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, Benjamin, Raul, and Henry.
He is survived by his two sisters, Elena Parker and Hercilia Camina and four children, Marion (Walter) Valdez-Bailey, Joanie (Luis Mendiola) Valdez, Johnny Valdez, and Ryan Valdez, his 2 grandchildren, Thomas Bailey and Tanya Stenton; a great-granddaughter, Evelyn Stenton and 3 great-grandsons: Gage Manske, Charlie Bailey, and Henry Bailey, and numerous other extended family members.
Visitation will begin at 5:00 p.m. and continue through 8:00 p.m. with a rosary service scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 25th at Darling Mouser Funeral Home. The Funeral Mass will be at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 26th at The Immaculate Conception Cathedral, 1218 E. Jefferson St. Committal services will follow at the Buena Vista Cemetery. The American Legion and VFW Funeral Honor Guards will be rendering Military Honors at the graveside.

Visitation

DarlingMouser Funeral Home
945 Palm Blvd.
Brownsville, TX  78520
Friday, September 25, 2015
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Service

Rosary

DarlingMouser Funeral Home
945 Palm Blvd.
Brownsville, TX  78520
Friday, September 25, 2015
7:00 p.m.

Funeral Mass

Immaculate Conception Cathedral
1218 E. Jefferson St.
Brownsville, TX  78520
Saturday, September 26, 2015
9:00 a.m.

Cemetery

Buena Vista Burial Park
5 McDavitt Blvd.
Brownsville, TX  78521