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Eugenio Calderon Valles was born to Manuel and Luisa Valles in Santa Rita, NM, on July 13, 1949. He was raised and attended school in Hurley NM, the only son among six children. He learned the ways of horses from his dad, and began his lifetime love of baseball as a Little Leaguer. A high school wrestler, he graduated from Cobre HS in 1967, and attended WNMU before serving in the US Army from 1971-1973. He found his career direction in volunteer work for Southwest Services for the Handicapped, and went on to earn a BA and MA degree from UNM in Special Education. He spent 17 years as a public school teacher, including 4 years at Silver HS, 1976-1980, where he also coached Cross-Country Track. He married his college sweetheart, Gail, in 1981. They both taught in Albuquerque Public Schools, and Gene earned his PhD in Special Education from UNM in 1992. Since 1993 he had been living in San Diego, CA, working as a professor, a teacher of teachers, at San Diego State University. He returned to his home in the Mimbres Valley whenever he could. Dr. Valles focused his career on helping those who learn differently. During his tenure at SDSU, he particularly worked to provide access to a career in Special Education for students like himself, from diverse backgrounds, often second-language learners and first-generation college attendees. Gene was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia on Jan. 15, 2010. Prayers were answered as he found a donor for a Bone Marrow Transplant. However, he died from treatment-related complications 60 days after transplant. He battled as a true warrior, determined, though wounded. A celebration of Gene's life took place on June 27, 2010 with a funeral service at the San Juan Mission Church, in the Mimbres Valley. A memorial will also be held in San Diego in mid-July. He was preceded in death by his mother, Luisa; and nephews, Michael and Daniel Morales; and brother-in-law David Delgado. He is survived by his father, Manuel Pacheco (MP) Valles, age 97, of Hurley; his wife, Gail, of San Diego, and her family; sisters, Emilia Morales of Colton, CA, Genevieve (Guera) Jimenez of Glendale, AZ, Teresa Delgado of Kempner, TX, and Maria Dolores Tovar and Victoria Valles-Mora of Albuquerque. He was blessed as well with many, many wonderful nieces and nephews. For anyone wishing to honor his memory, donations may be made to any of the following: Gene Valles Memorial Scholarship Fund Checks payable to: The Campanile Foundation San Diego State University 5500 Campanile Drive San Diego CA 92182-8030 Leukemia and Lymphoma Society http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org 888-773-9958 Or donations made in Gene's name to the: San Juan Mission Church HC 71 Box 1377 San Lorenzo, NM 88041
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