Guadalupe (Lupe) "Tico" Valdez

Guadalupe (Lupe) “Tico” Valdez, 69, of Wharton passed away peacefully at a Sugar Land hospital on March 18, 2024, after courageously battling numerous illnesses over many years. He was born on March 28, 1954, in Bay City, Texas to the late Angelina Charles and John Joe Valdez, Sr.

Lupe grew up and attended schools in Bay City but lived most of his life in Wharton. He joined the world’s greatest Air Force in 1972 and while enlisted, he worked as an Air Force Administrative Specialist and a Tactical Air Combat Control Specialist. While serving, he received the Air Force Accommodation Medal for his contributions to our country. Upon returning to Wharton in 1988, he worked for Texana for 8 years as their Crisis Intervention Administrator. He went on to work for Nanya Plastics Corporation in 1996 and dedicated countless long hours and shifts over the past 28 years. He was known to be a very hard worker and worked until he (literally) couldn’t any longer.

He was a longtime fan of the Dallas Cowboys and loved attending sporting events, especially for those of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was always their biggest fan, largest supporter, and the loudest to shout at the umpires. He was sure to never miss an event for any of his family members. He also had two great-grand pups, Bella and Dash, that he’d always visit with treats in hand. In his spare time, he enjoyed working on cars and salvaging through finds at “Pick-A-Part.” He also took pride in participating in various BBQ Cook- offs and numerous Relay for Life events for the American Cancer Society. He was well known for buying EVERYONE in the family a gift for the Christmas holiday (and gifting greeting cards stuffed with money for birthdays).

Along with his parents, Angelina and John Joe Sr, he is preceded in death by his sisters Refugio Cox, Helen Paniagua, Mary Luisa Guajardo, Angie Lopez; and brothers Jesse Valdez, Sr., Lorenzo Valdez, Sr., and John Joe Valdez, Jr. Additionally, his first grandchild, Roy Christopher Mendiola was called to be with our Father in 2019.

Tico will be deeply missed by family and friends, near and far, but he will especially be missed by his only daughter, Tanya Valdez Mendiola and husband, Roy; brother, Genaro Hernandez and wife Delia; sisters Corrina Cortez and husband David, Mary Rose Cox and husband Roger. He is also survived by his two grandchildren, Madison Nycole Mendiola and Ryan Michael Mendiola; and four great-grandchildren Krislynn Faith Mendiola, Jeremiah Rene Mendiola, Madilynn Elizabeth Mendiola, and Lovelynn Flavey Garcia. He leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews and amongst those is Amber Lathon, her husband Justin, and their two children Chase Allyn Denison and Sophia Analise Lathon.

The only request that Lupe had of his family when he fell extremely ill was: “make sure the little ones know how much I love them.”

The family would like to extend immense gratitude to his girlfriend of14 years, Rocio “Karla” Bravo. Karla supported Tico in everything he set out to do, cared for him through any and all of his illnesses, and loved him unconditionally. That is the kind of love one hopes to find in this life, and we are grateful he had someone to love him like such.