Valentin Quiroga Gonzalez, 81, of Memphis, Texas, passed away on Sunday, July 19, 2026, in Wellington, Texas.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 25, 2026, at Travis Baptist Church in Memphis with his brother, Elizardo Gonzalez, officiating. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery in Memphis. Viewing will be held from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home, with family receiving friends for visitation from 4-6 p.m.
Valentin was born on Jan. 17, 1945, in Julimes, Chihuahua, Mexico to Elias and Elvira (Quiroga) Gonzalez. He was raised alongside his nine siblings in Julimes, where he developed the strong faith, work ethic and love for family that would define his life.
After meeting the love of his life, Delfina Lopez, Valentin moved to Memphis. The couple were united in marriage on July 27, 1973, and shared nearly 53 years of love, faith and devotion together. They were blessed with four children, Valentin Jr., Irma, David and Daniel.
Throughout his life, Valentin worked for the railroad, local gin and compress, faithfully providing for his family. In 1985, he answered God’s call to pastoral ministry and became the pastor of Iglesia Bautista Emmanuel Church in Memphis, where he faithfully served his congregation for more than four decades.
Valentin had a heart for sharing the Gospel and ministering to others. His passion for serving extended beyond his church, as he ministered within the prison system and helped establish a church in his hometown of Julimes, Chihuahua, allowing his faith and compassion to reach countless lives on both sides of the border.
In his spare time, Valentin enjoyed working in his yard, taking pride in caring for his home. More than anything, however, he treasured time with his family. His greatest joy was being a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. His unwavering faith, gentle spirit and servant’s heart will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Elias and Elvira Gonzalez; his brother, Nicholas Gonzalez; and his sister, Maria Gonzalez.
Those left to cherish his memory include his beloved wife, Delfina Gonzalez, of Memphis; his children, Valentin Gonzalez Jr. and wife Jana Kay, of Memphis, Irma Gonzalez Graham and husband David, of Memphis, David Gonzalez and wife Katie, of Gig Harbor, Wash., and Daniel Gonzalez and wife Nadine, of Tulsa, Okla.; four brothers, Elizardo, Marcello, Salvador and Jose Gonzalez; three sisters, Martha, Marina and Graciela Gonzalez; and 10 grandchildren, Benjamin Elias Gonzalez, Eli Samuel Gonzalez, Eliana Ruth Gonzalez, Macaela Sarai Graham, Analise Danielle Graham, Eva Kathleen Gonzalez, Grace Delfina Gonzalez, Jack David Gonzalez, Valentina Irma Gonzalez and Leo Daniel Gonzalez; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members and dear friends.
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