Funeral services for Emanuel Valderez, 68, of Livingston, Texas, will be held Sunday, June 14, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. in the Cochran Funeral Home Chapel in Livingston, Texas with Rev. Betty Hendrix and James Rosier officiating. Interment will follow in the Peebles Cemetery in Livingston, Texas. Visitation will be held Saturday, June 13, 2015 beginning at 5:00 p.m. in Cochran Funeral Home in Livingston, Texas.

Emanuel (Manuel) Valderez was born February 1. 1947 in Madisonville, Texas to parents, Felix Valderez Sr. and Leona (Guevera) Valderez, and passed away the evening of June 10, 2015 after a long year of trying to overcome many medical obsticles. Manuel was never one to enjoy crowds, and true to form, he left this earth when he was surrounded by only a few family members. He was a hard worker, who provided for his family by being a logger. In his younger years, he enjoyed hunting and fishing. In his later years, he enjoyed napping in his recliner, with the television remote in his hand. Every child thinks that their Dad possesses some kind of superpower. His children knew that his superpower was that he could render them unable to stand and speechless (they knew to sit down, and be quiet), with just a snap of his fingers. There was always a quiet strength about him. He never had much to say, but his family and friends knew that he would always be a support system for them, and help in any way that he could. Manuel was a man who loved unconditionally, and he loved to be loved. He lived his life by The Golden Rule. He always said that the reason everyone was so nice to him, was because he was nice to them. Because of this, during his time spent at The Bradford, he made many friends who respected him and made sure that he was well taken care of.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to the staff at the The Bradford at Brookside Nursing Home and a special thank you to Mrs. Mary Beth Thompson.

He is preceded in death by his father and wife, Felix Valderez Sr. and Nelda (Reeves) Valderez; brother, Raymond Valderez; sister, Evelyn Flores; nephew, Eric Valderez.

He is survived by wife, Vera Valderez of Leggett, Texas; mother, Leona (Guevera) Valderez of Livingston, Texas; daughters, Karen Valderez and Lary Dillard of Lufkin, Texas, and Donna Baker of Tyler, Texas; son, Randy Valderez and Nicole of Leggett, Texas; bonus daughter, Jeannie Gonzalez of Richmond, Texas; grandchildren, Amber Johnson, Andrew Laird, Addison Dillard, Kassidy Valderez, Kylie Valderez, Keaton Valderez; great grandchildren, Hayghan Johnson, Hunter Johnson, Justin Johnson, Travis Johnson, Kaselyn Laird, and Lexi Green; brothers, Frank Valderez of Livingston, Texas, Paul Valderez of Livingston, Texas, Tony Valderez of New York, Adam Valderez of Livingston, Texas, Felix Valderez Jr. of Livingston, Texas; sisters, Mozell Mott of Corpus Christi, Texas, Lucille Flores of Livingston, Texas, Becky Gonzales of Livingston, Texas step children, Debra Hodge of Onalaska, Texas, Sandra Rebel of Dallas, Texas, Kay Remedies of Many, Louisiana, Kenneth Fletcher of Leggett, Texas, Timothy Fletcher of Leggett, Texas; numerous step grandchildren and step great grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends.

Pallbearers: Tommy Nesmith, Felix Valderez III, Shawn Valderez, Melvin Nesmith Jr., Tanner Fletcher, Kenneth Fletcher.

Honorary Pallbearers: Melvin Nesmith Sr., James Rosier.

Cochran Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Please sign our online guestbook at www.cochranfh.com .