Edward “Alex” Valencia

We are saddened to announce the passing of Edward Valencia following a sudden and brief battle with cancer.

Edward was known by most as “Alex,” named after his uncle. Alex was born to Frank Vincent Valencia and Mary Aguirre in Ventura, CA. He was raised primarily in Santa Barbara where he attended local schools.

Alex married Rosalie Rosales in 1961 and had three children who were his pride and joy. In his younger years he worked a variety of jobs as a custodian, warehouse manager, stock clerk, and delivery man until the age of 34 when he completed the police academy at Allan Hancock College. He then began work immediately for the Santa Maria Police Department and later also worked for Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Department, Klamath Falls Police Department and also the City of Arroyo Grande until his retirement. He then became the founding Director of the Chumash Casino Security Department.

Alex was very involved in Chumash Tribal politics, serving on the tribe’s Business Committee and also served several terms as Tribal Chairman. Alex was instrumental in campaigning throughout the State to secure the tribe’s gaming rights. He signed the original compact between tribe and the State of California with then governor Gray Davis. Alex also served on the tribe’s Gaming Committee and remained an active voice within the community until the last years of his life.

Alex’s favorite pastimes included fishing, motorcycles, spending time with family, collectables, word search puzzles, and watching sports, especially the Denver Broncos.

He always expressed that his three children were his greatest achievement. He was also extremely proud of his 4 grandchildren and his 2 great-grandchildren.

Alex was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Manuel Dominguez and Robert Dominguez, and his sisters Barbara Holguin and Carmelita Cordero. He is survived by his brothers Richard Valencia and David Dominguez, his 3 children Lisa, Dawn (Pamela) and Mark Valencia, his grandchildren Jackson, Karissa, and Bianca (Henry) Valencia and Joshua Serrano as well as his two great grandchildren Harriet and Eleanor Valencia-Hickson. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, cousins, and tribal relatives and his beloved companion dog, Mollie.

Services were held on Thursday, December 18th at Oak Hill Cemetery in Ballard. Alex had a personality larger than life and left a deep impression on everyone who knew him. He was loved by many and he will be greatly missed.