Joel Valenzuela Maldonado

Joel Valenzuela Maldonado, born in the small town of Praxedis G. Guerrero, Chihuahua, Mexico on Friday, August 16, 1935 and passed away in his home in Los Lunas, NM on Thursday, July 2,2020.



He was born to Luis Maldonado and Santos Valenzuela who preceded him in death. Joel also lost a younger sibling, Porfirio in January of 2020. Joel was the oldest of seven children. After the loss of his father, Joel began working odd jobs to help support the younger siblings.



Joel leaves behind a loving wife, Angelina, whom Joel married in 1961. Joel and his wife raised five children Victor, Joel Jr, Jose, Jessie, and Sylvia. He was a jack of all trades (aka mil usos). He loved farming, construction, and mechanics.



In his 20’s, he was part of the Bracero program and came to work in America as a migrant worker. He learned how to operate various types of farm equipment, maintenance, and repairs. During this time, he worked in several states but mostly Texas. He applied for and was granted USA resident alien status. A few years later, he became a naturalized citizen of the USA. Joel and his wife lived and worked in California’s San Fernando Valley for several years. They mostly lived and worked on farms between Texas and New Mexico.



Joel and family moved to Albuquerque, NM in 1983 and finally settled down in Los Lunas, NM. Although life had turned more into city living, Joel often thought of the returning to the farm life he loved.



Although Joel was always busy working at the small businesses he started, Joel loved spending precious time with his family.



Overall Joel, was a simple man with simple tastes, yet he had a profound sense of duty and responsibility……



A Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, July 9, 2020, 10:00 a.m. at FRENCH - University.

Services will be officiated by Pastor John Shavers, Church of God New Mexico in Albuquerque.