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Leonard T. Valdes, age 80, died peacefully on Saturday. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Marie. He touched the hearts of many people and will be greatly missed. He loved people and spent his life helping anyone in need. He had a long, active life. Everyone experienced his kindness and generosity along with his words of wisdom and a great sense of humor. He was born in Santa Fe, in 1922. He graduated from St. Michaels in 1939 and served in the Air Force. Early in his career, he went into the accounting profession with Meliton Sandoval and Ray Arias. He worked under Governor Burroughs as budget officer of the N.M. Bureau of Revenue in 1959. Later he started his own accounting practice in the Lensic building. In 1966, he was appointed director of the Public Employees Retirement Association, serving until his retirement in 1988. He is the longest-tenured director during PERA's 54 year history, helping to make it one of the best retirement plans in the country. He is survived by his son, Mark; grandchildren, Gina and Christina; older brother, Fred Valdes and his wife, Thelma; twin sister, Marian and her husband, Earnest Karlson; brother-in-law, I.W. Li; sister-in-law, Diane Pick; nieces, Esther Hall, Dorothy Gallegos, Linda Wheeler, Rosina May Thomas, Leonore Herrera, Chalee Trainor; nephews, Tito Karlson, Jeff Li, Jack Trainor and Jason Trainor; special"adopted daughter", Cyndy Lynch; and numerous other family members. Serving as pallbearers are Henry Garcia, Jeff Li, Representative Ben Lujan, Jason Trainor, Gene Valdes and Joseph Valdes. Eulogist is General Antonio M. Martinez. Visitation is at Berardineilli Mortuary in Santa Fe on Wednesday, September 4, 2002 at 6:00 p.m. with a Rosary to be recited at 7:00p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday, September 5, 2002 at 10:00 a.m., at St. Francis Cathedral. Memorial donations may be directed to St. Elizabeth's Shelter, 804 Alarid St., Santa Fe, NM 87505 or Big Brothers Big Sisters, 1225 St. Francis Dr. Santa Fe, NM 87505. Arrangements are under the direction of Berardinelli Family Funeral Service, 1399 Luisa Street, 984-8600.
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