Darrell M. Valdez passed away February 16, 2025 surrounded by his loving family after a valiant fight against the cancer that crept up on him. He was born June 28, 1948 in Dragerton, Utah to Salvador and Lupe (Cruz) Valdez. He was the second of eight siblings. He loved his family very much and enjoyed being raised by his very strict and loving parents. He stood 6’1” and always minded his 5’2” mother because he didn’t want to get her fired up.
Darrell graduated from East Carbon High School in 1967. He went to college for one year before starting his career in the coal mines so that he could buy a car. He spent 38 years working for Kaiser Steel as a proud member of Union 9958. He also served on the Kaiser Steel Mine Rescue Smoke Eaters team. His team was one of the first to enter Wilburg after the disaster of 1984. He also drove a school bus for Carbon County School District for 20 years. He was everyone’s favorite bus driver. He drove his kids on all their school trips during their time in high school.
Darrell met his wife of 48 years, Peggy Turner, in East Carbon. They were married June 26, 1976 and together they had four wonderful children. They raised their children to work hard, respect everyone, and love God. Darrell passed his sense of humor and gift of gab to his children. When Darrell got sick his children never left his side.
Darrell loved his small town and served his community proudly. He volunteered for the EMT service. He volunteered as a firefighter before becoming the fire chief in 1997. He coached his sons and grandkids in Little League. He was a city council member for many years. He served on the board of Carbon Medical Service. He was very involved in his church, Good Shepherd. He welcomed and helped all residents of East Carbon, new and old alike.
Darrell was a jack of all trades. He loved to tinker in his garage trying new hobbies to share with friends and family. His most recent passion was to whittle walking sticks for everyone. During the summer he would pull out his 1957 Chevy Bel-air and cruise the town with grandchildren in tow. He loved to go drown a worm attempting to catch a fish and shared his love of hunting with his father, brothers, sons, and grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife, Peggy; children, Dj (Bonni) Valdez, Patricia Valdez, Misty Valdez, and Cody (Alexis) Valdez; grandchildren, Bryelle, Max, Kysin, Juna, Addison, and Kelsi; siblings, Lora (Fil) Meraz, Ronald (Tammy) Valdez, Denise (George) Snyder, and Stevan (Robin) Valdez; in-laws, Tim (Linda) Turner, Debbie Turner, Susan Turner, and Leah (Tony) Lister; and countless nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by parents, Salvador and Lupe Valdez; parents in-law; brothers, Jesse, good Ernie, and bad Ernie; and brothers in-law, Dan Turner and Ben Turner.
The family would like to especially thank the staff at the Huntsman Cancer Institute, the staff of Symbii Home Health and Hospice, Cody and Alexis, grandson, Max, and sister, Denise that never left his side.
Funeral Mass, Friday, February 21, 2025, 10:00 a.m., Good Shepherd Catholic Church in East Carbon. Vigil Service will be held at the church Thursday evening at 7:00 p.m. The family will receive friends at the church Thursday and Friday one hour prior to the service. Committal Service will be in the East Carbon City Cemetery.
Arrangements entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home of Price and Huntington where friends are always welcome daily and may share memories of Darrell online at www.mitchellfuneralhome.net