Clear, 30° F
(July 15, 2002)
Word has been received of the July 15 death in Santa Barbara, Calif., of former Powell resident, Fred S. Valles, after a long battle with diabetes and congestive heart failure. He was 78.
He was born in Gallup, N.M., on Nov. 26, 1923, to Jose Valles and Maria S. Valles. He moved to Powell at the age of 2.
He graduated from Powell High School and entered the U.S. Navy in 1943, where he obtained the rank of Lt. J.G. He continued to serve in the Naval Reserve until 1959.
He married Marjorie Correll Aug. 2, 1960. The couple had three daughters, Stephanie, Laure and Janine.
Mr. Valles graduated from the School of Foreign Service at George Washington University with a chemical degree and finally from Georgetown University Law School. He worked as a corporate patent attorney for Rexal Dart and El Paso Gas Rexene (now Huntsman). In connection with his job of licensing and patents in the chemical/plastics field, he traveled extensively throughout Europe and Asia.
The family lived in northern New Jersey, California and Texas where he retired. Later they moved to Santa Barbara.
Survivors include his wife Marjorie; two daughters, Laure Benson and Janine Solomon; brothers and sisters, Mary V. Grijalva, Rosie V. Bustos, Nicolas V. Robles, Joseph S. Valles, Frank S. Valles, Elsie A. Napper and Jess Aguirre; and six grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by daughter Stephanie Stephens; his mother, Maria Salazar Valles Aguirre; father Jose Valles; and brother Mark Valles.
