Arthur Valdez

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Arthur Valdez

April 28, 1932 ~ Aug. 5, 2017

Arthur Valdez died on Aug. 5, 2017 in Holladay. He was born April 28, 1932 in Arboles, Colo., to Antonio Jose and Juanita Candelaria Valdez.

Art’s approachable personality made it easy for him to become a friend to all. He was adventurous and athletic, representing the United States of America in 1967 in skiing at the Deaf Winter Games in Germany. He also enjoyed river rafting and basketball, and won water ski competitions and dance contests. Art attended the Colorado and Utah Schools for the Deaf and graduated from Carbon High School, in Price, where he loved being a cheerleader. He retired from a long career with Grand Central/Fred Meyer in Salt Lake City.

Art was a proud member of the Utah deaf community. He developed a family of friends at the Sanderson Community Center for the Deaf and was a leader in many groups and associations for the deaf and hard of hearing. Art was constantly involved in social and civic activities, whether it was lobbying on Capitol Hill, mentoring deaf children and their parents or visiting home-bound elderly friends. He enjoyed teaching his friends and family sign language and was always a patient teacher as they learned new signs. Art’s drive to serve others and willingness to step out of his comfort zone to try new things was an inspiration to all who were fortunate to know him. His love for life was evident in his trademark smile and contagious laugh – he often laughed so hard he cried happy tears.

Art is survived by one sister, Francis “Gloria” (Bernie) Stanek, Gilbert, Ariz.; special sisters-in-law Inez Valdez, East Carbon; Betty Valdez, Taylorsville; and Doreen Valdez, Las Vegas, Nev.; and dozens of nieces, nephews and many dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Tony, Mike, Fred, Rey, Bill, Cora, Gloria and Ernestine Valdez, Alice Gallegos and Ruth Aragon.

The family wishes to thank the wonderful staff at Holladay Healthcare Center for their loving care of Art.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday, Aug. 19, at 10 a.m. at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church in Salt Lake City.

In lieu of flowers, his family suggests donations to the “Trust Fund in Honor of Art Valdez,” at the Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DSDHH), 5709 S. 1500 W., Taylorsville, UT, 84123.