Gabriel Valades, 84, Sturgis, died Friday, June 27, 2008, at the Fort Meade VA Medical Center.

Gabe was born March 24, 1924, in Edgemont, SD, to Catarino and Andrea (Uvalle) Valades. He grew up in Edgemont and graduated from Edgemont High School. He was proud that he was able to attend every class reunion. Gabe served in the US Army during WWII from 1943 until his honorable discharge in 1946.

Gabe was married to Helen M. Cordova in Deadwood, SD, on August 27, 1949. They lived in Glendo, WY, where Gabe taught school. They later moved their family to Sturgis where Gabe worked at Fort Meade as an Industrial Therapist for 30 years.

Gabe was a member of the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church and a member of the Knights of Columbus. He was also a member of the VFW. He was a Scout Master for 12 years and was referred to as "Mr. Scouting." Gabe was also active in the Little League program and coached many teams. He had a life-long love of the guitar, singing, and harmonica and encouraged the love of music to kids.

Survivors include his wife, Helen Valades, Spearfish; three sons, Joseph Valades, Spearfish, John Valades, Casper, WY, and David Valades and his wife, Marcy, Puyallup, WA; four daughters, Rita Valades, Rapid City, SD, Cathy Valades-Flynn and her husband, Bill, Laramie, WY, Andrea Valades, Sturgis, and Anita Valades, Rapid City; two brothers, Salvador "Chuck" Valades, Sturgis, and Father Reuben Valades, Rapid City; one sister, Inez Martinez, Chadron, NE; and six grandchildren, Shannon, Steven, Domenic, Kerry, Nicholas, and Marcus.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one son, Gabe, one sister, and two brothers.

A memorial has been established.

Visitation will be Tuesday from noon until 9:00 p.m. with a rosary and Christian prayer service beginning at 7:00 p.m. at Kinkade Funeral Chapel.

Mass of Christian burial will be held on Wednesday, July 2, 2008, at 1:00 p.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church with Father Arnold Kari officiating. Burial with military honors provided by the Sturgis Veteran's Honor Guard will follow at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.