Reynaldo Valdez, Jr.

Reynaldo "Ray" Valdez, Jr. 34, born and raised in Laredo, Texas entered into eternal rest on Friday, May 8, 2015 in Pensacola, Florida. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Enrique and Minerva Valdez and Jose and Ofilia Yanez. Ray is survived by his mother, Norma A. Valdez and sister, Melissa Sue Valdez and by his father, Reynaldo Valdez and siblings Megan, Valerie and Andrew Valdez. He is also survived by numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, nieces, good friends, and by Mr. Jorge Diaz. He was most loving and proud of his children April Rae (Texas), Raymond and Alexa Valdez (Florida). Ray was a gifted scholar, his academic career included: United High School in Laredo, the University of Texas in Austin where he acquired his Bachelor's Degree, Texas State University in San Marcos where he earned his Master's Degree, and lastly the University of West Florida where he would have received his PhD. Our beloved son was the most caring, kindhearted, gentle, generous, intelligent, funny, encouraging, cheerful, helpful, motivated, good mannered, polite, hardworking, sincere, compassionate, animal lover, loyal, best friend, trustworthy man, who lived his life with integrity. Ray would go out of his way, no matter how busy his schedule was, to help anyone in need. He loved reading and learning. Ray had been a straight "A" student since he was in first grade and continued with a perfect 4.0 GPA every year. Ray would have received his doctorate degree in just a few short months. He made it known that he couldn't wait to be called Doctor Valdez. He loved sharing his life experiences with friends, who say he had the best stories. His great sense of humor always had everyone laughing. He was a natural when it came to teaching at the University of West Florida, where was and continues to be loved by all. Not only Florida, but he has countless messages on his FB page from all over the United States stating he had a heart of Gold. He encouraged everyone to get a good education and strive for better. He actually wrote and finished a book on nutrition and exercise that was in the process of getting published thru Amazon. Everything that Ray decided to work on was accomplished with extreme pride. He enjoyed the outdoors, loved growing all kinds of vegetables and fruit trees, and firmly believed in recycling and taking care of the planet. Ray was a fantastic cook and made the best chocolate chip pancakes, but emphasized the importance of eating healthy and exercise! When it came to health, nutrition body mass, dissertation proposal defense, conditioning, motivational climate within strength and working out, you couldn't get Ray to stop talking. But the most important thing to Ray was being a good father. Nothing else in the world mattered, except his children. Every minute he had between teaching, attending graduate school, and studying, he would spend with his children. Teaching them about nature, the solar system, dinosaurs, constantly reading to them , watching kids' favorite cartoons and taking them on long walks, which was Ray's happiest time spent on this earth. Ray was the best man you could have ever met. We all love and miss him tremendously!!! Special thanks to the Laredo Police Department, LPOA, Sheriff Martin Cuellar, the Pensacola Police Department, Anonymous Angel, Chris & Rebecca Whisenant and the Joe Jackson North Funeral Home Staff. Memorial Visitation will be held on Saturday, June 27, 2015 from 3 to 7 p.m., where a Prayer Service will be celebrated by Rev. Joel Perez de la Fuente at 4 p.m. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the funeral service professionals at Joe Jackson North Funeral Chapels, 1410 Jacaman Rd., Laredo, Texas 78041; (956)722-8850.