Valentine Herrera

Valentine Subia Herrera passed away on December 2, 2009 in Tucson, Arizona. He was 89 years old. Valentine was born in Sheldon, AZ on May 21, 1920 to Serapio Herrera and Maria Paz Subia Herrera. He lived in Duncan for 18 years and moved to Morenci where he met Natividad Diaz and married her on July 18, 1942. They lived in Morenci until 1963 when they moved to a small farm in York Valley. Valentine was drafted into the Army in 1944 and served in the Pacific Theater until 1946. Wounded three times, he received Purple Heart and Bronze Star medals. Because of his military service and heroism, he was often called upon to be in parades celebrating Veterans Day and the 4th of July. Upon his return to Morenci after WWII, Valentine resumed his job at the PD Morenci Mine. He was instrumental in organizing the Mine Mill Union and even after promotion to foreman, he continued to be in the union. His crew and even the mining superintendent called him El Boss. The older workers at the Pit called him El Gallillio. As head panel layer, he was proud that the superintendent assigned all new engineers to work under him. In his youth, Valentine worked on farms and when he retired from PD, he fulfilled his dream of working his own farm. He grew chile and raised hogs. Valentine experimented with different chile varieties until he produced the hotness he wanted. As a hobby, he and his wife made chile ristras and sold them. Valentines wife Nati died January 1, 2001. He is survived by his children: Elena Diaz Bjorkquist (Kurt), Richard Herrera (Evelyn), and Daniel Herrera; his six grandchildren: Maria Short, Erik Bjorkquist, Adam Bjorkquist, Chris Herrera, Nick Herrera, and Wendy Herrera; his nine great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. Valentine loved his family, growing chile, drinking coffee and talking. As he once stated in an oral history interview, I have always been talkative. I dont know what it is, even the flies follow me. His family and the many friends he made in his lifetime will miss him. Rosary and Mass will be held at St. Marys Mission Church in Duncan on Thursday December 10, 2009 at 10:00 AM. Condolences may be made to the family one hour prior to the services. A military honor guard funeral will be followed by burial in Duncan Cemetery.