Albert Valdivia, Jr

Obituary of Albert Valdivia, Jr

 
Albert “Hito” Valdivia Jr. was born September 9th, 1932 in Phoenix, AZ to the parents of Albert Valdivia Sr. and Hortensia Sesma. He had five siblings: Irma, Mary, Josie, Carlos and Esther. Albert was raised by his grandparents Manuel and Josefa Valdivia.  

Albert graduated from Phoenix Union High School in 1951 where he was a Varsity cheerleader. At the age of 18 Albert enlisted in the United States Air Force. Albert served four years in the Air Force where he was stationed in Louisiana. After serving in the military Albert attended Arizona State University where he graduated in 1962 with a bachelor degree in Parks and Recreation Management. His Parks and Recreation degree lead him to a great career with the City of Phoenix for 35 years. Albert, known as Al to his colleagues, had many different roles even if his business card only said ‘Coordinator’. Albert started as a youth specialist but then moved onto create a head start program, was on the board of directors for CPLC, Big Brother and Big Sisters and D.A.R.E.. Albert moved up to the Director of Parks and Recreation and during his time in this position he did some extraordinary things. In 1984, he helped coordinate all communication from Arizona to Mexico City after the horrible earthquake that struck the city. Albert was the first person to set up a 24-hour hotline and communication to Mexico City to help provide relief efforts. He was later recognized for organizing these relief efforts but never once took credit, instead gave credit to all his employees and even his wife. If that was not enough, Albert went on to create the first program in the United Stated for single father support. A fun fact about Albert’s time with the City of Phoenix is he even helped deliver a baby in a restroom of Center 2. Albert retired in 1994 where he served as the Human Services director for Center 2, 3 and Maryvale.  

Albert not only had an extraordinary career but had a bigger devotion to Jehovah. If anyone knew “Hito” they knew how much he loved serving Jehovah. In 1972 Albert was baptized and in 1974 he had the privilege of becoming an Elder. As in his career, Albert helped organize many things in his congregation and around the US. Albert quickly became the secretary of his congregation. As in his career, he had many other roles within his congregation such as the Elder in charge of first aid at assemblies, first aid at building sites, hospital outreach, presiding overseer and service overseer. Albert loved to help everywhere he went and welcomed all brothers and sisters into his home whenever they were in need. His faith and his love to talk about Jehovah helped bring the word of Jehovah to many including the city of Puerto Penasco, Mexico. Albert helped start the first congregation in Puerto Penasco and helped bring the first Kingdom Hall to the area. Albert was part of the Shaw Butte congregation for over 50 years where he made lasting friendships.  

All that knew Albert though knew he had a love that we all can wish for! Albert met his loving bride of 68 years, Lina Trujillo in 1952, while on leave from the Air force. Albert and Lina married on July, 3, 1955, in Nogales Arizona. Lina and her “Senor” went on to grow a beautiful life and family together. They had six children: Debbie Sinohui, Albert Valdivia III, Donna McClung, Pamela Clark, David Valdivia, and Anthony Valdivia. If Albert wasn't lucky enough to have these incredible children with Lina, his children went on to give him his 13 grand children Valerie, Michael, Carlos, Michal, Robert, Jeffery, Lori, Jasper, Brandon, Desiree ‘Baby', Danielle ‘Little Girl’, Isaac, Elijah, and  Luke. Albert also has 28 great grandchildren and 5 great great grandchildren.  

Many wonder how could Albert have any free time with all his accomplishments but he made sure he did as he loved to travel. A few of Alberts favorite destinations were Hawaii, Alaska, and Mexico. Wherever he went he always made sure he went to the Kingdom Hall in that location. He was even privileged to give a talk at a local congregation in Hawaii. Wherever he went he wanted to help people and spread the word of Jehovah. Albert also loved to camp with his family. Which not many know but Albert was an excellent fisherman, his wife may say otherwise. He even got his wife Lina into his hobby so they could spend more time together. When he wasn’t on land Albert was swimming, he loved the water. In fact, Albert taught his children and almost all his grandkids to swim. There are so many memories his family have with him in the pool or the ocean in Mexico. Albert was also very well known for his love of food, well maybe his love for sweets. You could always hear Lina in the back saying “ay Senor” when he was sneaking one too many cochito’s. Through the years Albert never lost his love for western movies, maybe it’s because that was his favorite time to nap. Albert loved to joke and laugh with people; he had one of the best senses of humors and contagious laugh. 

Albert will be dearly missed by all. His smile could bring so much happiness to those around him and it will never be forgotten. Albert was the most caring and loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend. To miss someone so much means they were extremely special and an extraordinary individual, which we know Albert was and will always be. We know his faith in Jehovah will be missed and all the lives he has touched in his astonishing 90 years. It saddens his family and friends to not have him here, but we know Jehovah will reunite us all in HIS time.  

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Saturday
18
February

Memorial Service

12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Saturday, February 18, 2023
Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses
12470 North 33rd Avenue
Phoenix, Arizona, United States
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