Charlie Valdez

Charlie Valdez, 75, of Selma OR, passed away peacefully at his home November 15, 2011.

A celebration of life will be at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, July 14th, 2012 at Lake Selmac Trout Center (Boy Scout Shelter). Please RSVP Yvonne at 541-660-7725.

Charlie was born July 13, 1936, in Trinidad, Colorado, to Amos and Sally (Lucero) Valdez. He was one of 2 brothers and 3 sisters. The family moved to Los Angeles finally settling in San Jose, CA

He attended San Jose High School in San Jose, CA. He joined the Air Force at 17, eventually becoming part of a team to launch the first unmanned Titian missile. Upon discharge from the Air Force, attended the journeymen painters program, graduating with the perfect score, never accomplished by anyone. Charlie’s first patent was a tool used in the painting industry.

While in the Air Force Charlie married Dixie Lee (Plummer) Palmer on July 10, 1954, in Saint Louis, Missouri. She was the love of his life. They had two daughters, Yvonne Company, and Lavonne Valdez. Charlie and Dixie lived in San Jose until moving to Selma, OR in 1974, purchasing their 100 acre ranch.

Charlie felt that saving the forest was just as important as creating family wage jobs. He engineered a processor that produced rectangular hardwood firewood that is sold in an environmentally friendly box. He is the inventor of three patents related to this venture. Charlie started Valco Wood products, it was renamed Oregon FireLogs LLC when his daughter Yvonne started the new company and was able to market the product.

Charlie worked his whole life to better the life of others. He spread God’s word by counseling and teaching people that being productive, hard working, honest members of their community brought you happiness to your heart. Charlie touched the lives of many people with his smile, generosity, and sense of humor.

He enjoyed working on his property, gardening, reading, running, and having his grand children being near. Members of different churches was part of regular visits to his home.

He is survived by his brothers; Amos Valdez of Selma, OR, Bert Valdez of Los Gatos, CA, sisters; Ella Valdez of Sonora, CA, Rene Pressler of Los Gatos, CA., daughters and spouse; Yvonne and Javier Company of Selma, OR, Lavonne Valdez of Gilroy, CA, four grandchildren, four great grandchildren. Countless other family, and friends whom were blessed to know him.

He was preceded in death by his father, Amos Valdez, mother Sally (Valdez) Jaenecke, sister Fran Nahhus, wife Dixie Valdez, grandson Domingo Ramirez who was murdered and never found.

The family requests all donations be sent to the wonderful people who supported us in caring care for Charlie in his time of need at Lovejoy Hospice 939 SE 8th Street, Grants Pass, Oregon 97526.