SEBASTIAN - Valentin Cortez, Sr., 74, died Monday, February 25, 2008 at Valley Baptist Medical Center in Harlingen. He was born February 4, 1934 in Sebastian.

He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Severa V. Cortez; three sons, Valentin, Jr., Arnulfo (Dalia, Arinie, Arnoldo, Demi) of Sebastian, Julian (Rosie, J.C., Waylon, Darian) of Raymondville; two daughters, Virginia (Domingo Cortina, Damian, Fabian) of Edinburg and Ermelinda (Pete Capetillo, Virginia, Miranda, Samantha) of Raymondville. He is also survived by two brothers, Felipe and Arnulfo; two sisters, Enedina Cortez, Maximina Cortez.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Romulo and Petronila Cortez, brothers, Baudelio, Urbano, Raul, Trinidad; two sisters, Alicia Martinez and Beatriz Rios.

He lived in Sebastian all his life and was a cotton ginner for over 30 years.

A rosary will be recited Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at Duddlesten Chapel and Thursday 7 p.m. at Duddlesten Chapel. Funeral service will be celebrated Friday, 10 a.m., Feb. 29, at St. Martin of Tours Church. Burial will follow at the Guadalupe Cemetery in Sebastian.

Pallbearers will be his grandsons, Arnie, Damian, Arnoldo, Fabian, J.C., Waylon and Darian.

Funeral arrangements under the direction of Duddlesten Funeral Home.

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