Gilroy, California — Doroteo John Valenzuela, age 89, died peacefully in his home on July 16th from congestive heart failure.
Mr. Valenzuela is preceded in death by his parents Doroteo Valenzuela and Inez Soto Valenzuela and son Christopher Valenzuela. He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Mary G. Valenzuela, and five children: Yolanda Najar (Pedro), Martha Martinez, John Valenzuela (Alicia) Ida Williams and Dorothy Valenzuela. He, also, leaves behind his sister, Josie Chavez, 11 grandchildren, Pedro Najar (Marielos), Joseph Najar (Monique), Lawrence Martinez, Anna Tremblay (Matthew), Christopher Najar (Tina), Christopher Valenuela (Jessica), Mary Kitaji (Chris Kim) Kailynn Kitaji (Kerry), Elias Ventura ( Tiffanie), Daniell Mirelez, and Joshua Williams (Valerie) and many great-grandchildren.


John is a veteran of the World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War, where he earned over 20 medals and ribbons for his valiant service to our country. He was born in Los Angeles, as a child, he moved multiple times from California, to Arizona, New Mexico, Montana, Washington and back to California.


He proudly served over 30 years in military service; 3 years in the U.S. Coast Guard and 28 years with distinction in the U.S. Air Force. While serving in the Air Force he was based at Kinross AFB in Michigan; Vandenberg AFB in Lompoc, California; Walker AFB in Roswell, New Mexico and then served his last term in active duty in Vietnam. Upon return from Vietnam, he retired from military service. The discipline and patriotism he learned in the Air Force never left him, as friends and family will attest. Upon retirement from the Air Force, he returned to Gilroy to work as Lead Security for Gilroy Foods. After retirement from Gilroy Foods, he enjoyed spending time in his garden, endless hours reading historical journals and had a passion for military history. John was a member of Sociedad Funeraria Mexicana funeral society, and the American Legion.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, July 19, 2015 from 2:00 to 5:00 pm at Habing Funeral Home with the Vigil Service beginning at 5:00 pm. Funeral Mass will be held at St. Mary's Parish on July 20, 2015, Monday at 10 am, followed by burial at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery.