LOWRY, Colo.—Santiago Herman Valdez (Jim), 80, of Denver, CO, passed away on March 10, 2018 in Denver Hospice, Lowry, Colo.

Santiago Valdez was born in Monte Vista to Phillip Santiago Gallegos and Alice Gallegos on July 25, 1937. He went to high school at Monte Vista High School and graduated there. He went on to earn a degree in theology from The Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Santa Fe, N.M. and attended Regis College in Denver. He worked as an IRS Treasury Agent for the Internal Revenue Service for many years and retired from that position. 

He enjoyed family activities and trips, and he enjoyed painting and fixing cars.  He received numerous awards and honors from the IRS during his years of service and was involved in Our Lady of Guadalupe church organizations and was a faithful attendant for Mass at St. Cajetan’s and St. Bernadette’s in Denver.

Santiago is survived by his siblings Phil and Rosella Valdez, Harold and Norma Valdez, Selia and Claude Stieha, Stefanie and Antonio Archuleta and Anthony and Cheryl Gallegos. He is also survived by his children Daniel and Kathy Castro, Donald and Christine Castro, Paul and Loretta Valdez, Cindy Kleem, Denise and Richard Johnson, and Edna and Douglas Stewart, Jimmy and Diane Martinez, Allen and Donna Castro and Gabriel Vigil-Castro; grandchildren Alicia Castro Lucero, Andrea Castro Williams, Paul Lilly, Schona Royal, Danielle Castro Silva, Esteban Castro, Enrique Castro, Dominic Castro, Estevan Valdez, Michael Valdez, Austin Ellison, Vanessa Huihui, Natalia Candelaria, Valerie Castro, Janel Castro, Antonio Lucero-Castro and Daniel Castro-Martinez; nieces Anna Marie Norris, Yvonne Stieha; nephews Michael and Tracy Valdez; along with numerous great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his wife Alicia Florida Castro-Valdez, Toby and Madlyn Valdez, Ralph and Aurora Valdez, Pete Castro, Annette Castro, Jerry Castro, Barbara Martinez and Tom Valdez.

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the pallbearers: Daniel Castro, Donald Castro, Paul Valdez, Damon Lucero, Gabriel Vigil-Castro and Daniel Castro-Martinez, along with honorary pallbearer Antonio Lucero-Castro. Thank, and prayers also go out to special friends and family members of Vicki and Doug Corrion, DeeDee and Tony Silva-Kotris, Daniella Castro Silva, Jimmy Martinez, Matthew Martinez, Lucy Ornelas, Kathy Romero, Ruth and Norm Silva, Claudette and Wayne Mondragon, Priscilla Gallegos, Mario and Charmaine Cisneros, Harold and Norma Valdez, Michael and Tracy Valdez, Samantha Archuleta, Rita and Arturo Casillas, Edward and Fran Lopez, Paul and Lisa Lilly, Jimmy and Elenore Andrade.

A Funeral Mass was held Thursday, March 22 at the Archdiocese of Denver Mortuary at Mount Olivet Cemetery, 12801 W. 44th Ave., Wheat Ridge, CO 80033.