Emilio Vallez

Vallez, Emilio  
Age 82, passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 26, 2016 in Albuquerque, NM surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Socorro, NM on June 28, 1933, to Desiderio and Andrellita Gonzalez Vallez. Emilio put his height to work for him in middle school and high school playing for the Socorro Warrior basketball teams. He was also on the baseball team. Emilio was a very hard worker from the time he was in his early teens, hanging out on the Socorro Plaza shining shoes for the military fellows.  He liked to call himself "The Shoeshine Boy". This income helped him contribute to the household of his then widowed mother raising three children on her own. After graduation from Socorro High, Emilio joined the Navy in 1952. He served on the USS Missouri as a Sea Bee. He saw a lot of action in the Korean War. He retired in good standing. Emilio then resided in California where he met, and then married the love of his life, Monica Catherine Day on Dec. 8, 1958. Emilio worked as a foreman for a manufacturing company untill retirement. He then moved back to Socorro in 1974 and settled in Polvadera. "Woody", as the family and friends referred to him, was a restless soul...he couldn't stay still. That is when he went to work for the VLA driving the scientists and staff out to the site. When he retired from the VLA, Woody settled to a life with family and friends. Woody was a generous man, known to have donated school supplies to various classrooms of children over the years. He was a caring man, always willing to help people whenever and however he could. Woody was so greatly loved and will always be in our thoughts and prayers. He will be missed by many.Those surviving his death are his wife of 57 years, Monica Catherine Vallez; siblings, Frances V. Cuellar and Juan Jose (J.J.) Valles; nephew, Billy Cuellar (Karen) of White Pigeon, MI; nieces, Janet Montoya of Socorro, Patti Zimmerman (Michael) of Las Cruces, NM, and Jolinda Cuellar of Albuquerque, NM; great nephews and nieces, Mitchell Cuellar of Chicago, IL, Michele Hefter (Phil) of Alamogordo, NM, Erin Zimmerman (Tyler Skaggs) of Austin, TX, Carmen Rarick (Justin) of Three Rivers, MI, Kayla Zimmerman (Keegan) of Las Cruces; great grandnephews and nieces, Caden Samuel Hefter, Chanel Hefter and Emma Lynn Rarick. He is preceded in death by his parents; his brother-in-law, Sonny Cuellar; nephew, Sammy Cuellar; great niece, Denise Marie Montoya; and his mother-in-law, Katherine Day. Cremation has taken place and a veteran's memorial service in his honor will be held at a later date.  In lieu of flowers donations may be given in Emilio's honor to the Good Samaritan Society, PO Box 1279, Socorro, NM 87801 or to a charity of your choice. To view information or leave a condolence, please visit www.danielsfuneral.com. Emilio's care has been entrusted to  
Daniels Family Funeral Services
309 Garfield St
Socorro, NM 87801
575-835-1530