Amos "Moose" Valdez

Amos “Moose” Valdez was born in an era of poverty during the Great Depression on October 11th, 1933 in Alamosa Colorado.  His mother Sally was a “whip” by those who knew her.  She ran a tight house and had a knack for making money.  According to Amos, this was a great benefit to her family as their Father, Amos the first, would be gone most of their lives, fishing and gambling for long periods of time.  A sink full of fish and a ransacked pantry were but a few signs Dad paid a visit. 
Growing up, the Valdez family were a force to be reckoned with.  For Amos, saving money was a favorite past-time as it allowed him to buy the things he loved in life.  In his youth it was cars, loud and fast, of which he had an undeniable love for.  Racing, betting, fighting and women were generally the subjects around which his legendary stories revolved.  Tales of his sisters (Renee, Francis and Ella), told around campfires, is that their beauty and passion had only the fire itself to contend with.  He and his brothers would start a business out of a garage that would eventually grow into one of the largest industrial and residential painting companies in California: AB&C Painting, (Amos, Bert & Charlie) before eventually settling as A&B when ‘C’  branched out on his own.  Responsible, in part, for helping build the silicon valley and employing thousands over the years, A&B painting is one of the most respected companies in the bay area, employing union workers from the start and maintaining a competitive edge by the ingenuity of the Valdez brothers.  For example, they were one of the first to use a boom, ‘Big Bertha’ to paint buildings more efficiently.  “Affectionately” called ‘one-coat’, Amos was also known for his ability to generate a profit off contracts most wouldn’t bid on.
The love of his life shared the same fire as the women he was raised with: Peggy Belli.  Outside of work Amos was an avid bowler, gambler, and eventual pilot, the other love of his life.  Once he discovered the love of flying it would take his life to its ultimate height.  Flying was his passion second to none and he, his family and friends would view the world from the height that made him the proudest. 
He was arguably one of the most social men around.  Walking through town with him could take a lifetime as he talked to everyone, as everyone was his friend.  Everything he did and said had a reason and if you listened, there was always a lesson to be learned.  “Always be honest!”, “Take responsibility for your actions!”  And of course, Amos was aware of the means that could only be had with money.  As a man born into poverty who provided himself the opportunity to achieve his dreams by hard work and hard work alone, he understood the value of money and would preach its value as a means, not an end.
Amos and Peggy’s first child, Mikel, was just as hard working as Amos, yet in the desires of his own, also ran a successful business adhering to his own very strict code: spend your money, have fun and enjoy life to the fullest.  Their second and last child Jodi would grow up with her own code as well: family.  Amos eventually sold his portion of the business and retired on an estate in Oregon with over 150 acres nestled alongside the Illinois river in a dense forest near his brother Charlie, where they would spend their summers enjoying the company exclusively with their three grandchildren: Sarah, Matthew and Jason (aka Salmon, Shark and Sushi).  Peggy’s health eventually declined, and they to a more manageable home before her health gave way to the heavens.  Later he would move back to the bay area, where he spent most of his life, close to his family and friends.  He would fly a few more times with his partner and friend Charlie Perez before his health began to decline.  His recent passing leaves a lot to be desired, at the young age of 87 he was in full capacity and ready to go on for “at least 5 more years” according to him, but alas the heavens disagreed. Amos’ great teachings and philosophies on life will now live on by  those he is survived by: his sisters Renee and Ella, brother Bert, daughter Jodi, two grandchildren Sarah and Matthew and his five great-grandchildren Sebastian, Samantha, Sylus, Rhys and Noah.  Amos was truly a priceless person, and God went a little further and gave him everything that mattered most to him in life. May you Rest in Peace Amos.