Salvador "Chuck" Valades, 94, of Sturgis, passed away peacefully at the Fort Meade VA Medical Center on Friday, December 18, 2020 with family at his side.
Chuck was born and raised in Edgemont, SD with six siblings. While still attending Edgemont High School, he was drafted into the Army to support the WWII conflict in Germany and was assigned to the 94th Infantry Division attached to the 3rd Army commanded by Gen. George Patton. During the final stages of the Battle of the Bulge he was critically injured and received the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Combat Infantry Badge, Good Conduct Medal, Victory Medal, European Medal, and Sharp Shooter Medal. After a lengthy recovery, Chuck returned to Edgemont and attended the National School of Business in Rapid City where he met his wife, Darlene. On September 10, 1951, they married at St. James Catholic Church in Edgemont and established residences at Fort Meade and Sturgis, where they raised their family. Chuck worked in the Admissions Department at the Fort Meade Medical Center for 36 years and retired in 1988.
God, family, and country were the roots of Chuck's values: work hard, and do it right the first time, which was witnessed through his involvement in numerous church ministries and veteran advocacies. He received a number of acknowledgements, including the Meade County Veteran of the Month, the Bob Hanson Distinguished Service Award, and special recognition at the Military Appreciation Day during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.
Survivors include children, Vincent (Karen) of Fort Collins, CO, Dr. Tina Valades Tullberg (Ralph) of Winchester, MA, and Vance (Annie) of Colorado Springs, CO; grandchildren, Joel Valades (Carrie) of Loveland, CO, Brenna Valades Nienke (Rye) of Loveland, CO, Jeremy Valades of Loveland, CO, and Matthew Valades (Jean) of Greensboro, NC; step-grandchildren, Maggie Andrews (Jared), and Joel Anderson; four step-great-grandchildren; and numerous loving nieces and nephews.
Chuck was preceded in death by Darlene (Houdek) Valades, his wife of 63 years; parents, Catarino Valades, Sr. and Andrea (Uvalle) Valades; brothers, Catarino, Jr., Vincent, Gabriel, and Father Reuben; and sisters, Alice Gnojek and Inez Martinez.
The family sincerely appreciates the kindness and compassion the Fort Meade VA Medical Center and the Sturgis community has given Chuck. Thank you.
In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations in Chuck's memory to any military veteran organization or to St. Martin's Chapel Fund.
Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., with Rosary beginning at 10:30 a.m., on Tuesday, December 22, 2020 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Sturgis. Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11:00 a.m. with Father Timothy Castor officiating. Committal services with military honors will be held at Black Hills National Cemetery.

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