The Manuel & Maria Valle family

Manuel & Maria were both born in Mexico in 1898/1901. They both came to the United States
through El Paso, where they met and married. Manuel was employed by The Dietrich Dairy
Farms in El Paso. He became the best Pasteurizer at the dairy. When Mr. Dietrich moved his
diary business to Garland he wanted Manuel to come with him and bring his entire family. The
Dairy was on a beautiful sprawling farm along the street in Northeast Garland called Dairy Road.
Manuel relocated in 1929 and the rest of the family came in 1930. Maria already had Manuel A.,
Guadalupe and Jesus when she arrived in Garland. Soon after, Juaquin, Eugenia, Jose,
Pascual and Luis came along to complete the first Hispanic family to move and call Garland
their home.
Living on one income, the Valles managed to take care of and raise their family at the corner of
West Avenue C and Santa Fe near downtown Garland. The family still owns this property of the
home they all grew up. The house is no longer there, however the memories live on.
All eight siblings are American citizens by birth. All eight graduated from Garland High School.
The six brothers can all be remembered as outstanding athletes and especially in football for the
Garland Owls. Eldest brother Manuel and Pascual excelled in track and football.
In 2000 the living members of the Valle family were honored by the Garland Heritage Festival
and Main Street Garland for being the first Hispanic family in Garland and for their
commendable exemplary lives that have added greatly to the growth and success of Garland and
surrounding communities.
A special recognition was also presented to the Valle family from the office of former Mayor
Ronald Jones.
This past year, 2013, a State of Texas Resolution was presented to the family by State Rep.
Angie Chen Button.
Manuel A.
The eldest of the Valle siblings, Manuel excelled in sports and academics at Garland High
School. He was well known for his track accomplishments and football. Graduated in 1937,
Manuel soon attended Texas A&M and then served in the United States Army during WWII
He later met his wife Janalynn. Janalynn was an english teacher, and her father was a professor
at Tarleton State University. They and their children relocated many times during his military
career as an officer. They were well traveled, to places like Alaska, Guam, Europe and finally
settling in El Paso with their four children. Mike also excelled in sports and academics. Mike is a
graduate of The University of Texas at El Paso and competed in several cross-country events and
also threw the javelin in track & field. Mike was also hired right out of high school as a systems
analyst while attending the university.
*Linda Jones is the eldest of all the cousins in her generation of the Valle family. Linda
graduated college with a bachelors degree she helps handicapped adults with her studies.
Linda has two children, Janalynn and Will. Her son is married to his wife Jackie and they have
three children Shelby, Julianne and Liam they live in New Mexico. Janalynn and Linda live
in Atlanta.
*Mike and his wife Pam live in Cleburne. They have one daughter, Sondra. Sondra and her
daughter Tennyson live in Arlington.
*Janis Bates is a graduate of Tarleton State University in Stephenville and lives in Grand Prairie
with her husband Dewey Bates. Their sons Jonathon, Jason and Joel, all graduated from high
school in Grand Prairie. Jonathan served in the United States Air Force. Jason and his wife,
Stephanie, live in Keller with their children, Noah and Naomi. Joel lives in Keller.
*Ruthie Valle Sly and her husband David Parrish Sly are Over the Road Team drivers
hauling cargo in an 18-wheeler tractor trailer rig across the USA. Ruthie attended college later in
life and graduated from El Paso Community College. She was also on the deans list in honors
English classes and received a scholarship to return to school.
Guadalupe
Also known as Lupe, the eldest sister often helped her mother care for the large family of Valles.
She attended Garland High School and participated on the Pep Squad. Lupe married Robert
Carlson, a career military man in the Marines. Bob relocated a few times and eventually moved
the Carlson family to 29 Palms, Calif. The four older siblings all graduated from 29 Palms High
School. The three younger siblings later moved with their widowed father to Englewood, Calif.,
where they graduated from Englewood HS.
*Eldest sister Hanna Carlson-Woolf lives with her husband John in Oram, Utah. They have
four children. Adam is married to Mary. Son Michael lives in Utah. Jonathon and Emily live
with Hanna.
*Robert Jr. (deceased) has two children, Christopher and Jamie. Jamie is also deceased,
however left two children Ayren and Maria Perry. They lived with their father Anthony in Las
Vegas Maria since lives on her own. Christopher served in the Navy Seal program. He has
since married Carrie and they have a daughter, Cailynn. They also live in Las Vegas.
*Peter Carlson lives in Sonoma, Calif. Pete is a graduate of Cal Poly Tech, where he studied
audio engineering that would help him with a career in the music industry. Pete records music in
his studio. He toured as the audio engineer for artists such as The Beach Boys, Seals & Crofts,
Alice Cooper, Doobie Brothers and Hank Williams Jr. Petes oldest son, Jeoffrey Carlson
served the Navy and just recently graduated with his bachelors degree from The University of
New York Brockport. Jeremy studied at the University of California-Berkeley and lives with
his wife April Marie and their young son Julian in Freeport, Calif.
*Brothers Joe, Link and Danny live and work in California. Kathie, their youngest sibling, lives
and works in Southern California. Danny has a daughter Danielle that lives in California and
Kathie has a son Zachary and also lives in Southern California.
Jesus
Jesus may have been the most carefree and laid-back of all Manuel & Marias children. Also
known as Chuy he participated in a little bit of everything. Unlike his brothers, Jesus high
school football career was short-lived. Jesus did like to fish and hunt rabbits with his brothers.
He attended Garland HS like his siblings, however, left just short of graduating with his
classmates to enlist in the Army during WWII. Jesus was in medical supplies in the Army Air-
Corps. He later became a Marine and career military man. He did come back and achieved his
GED and graduated in 1944. Jesus met his wife Elvira (Vera) and then switched his branch of
service to the Air Force after 13 years as a Marine. He relocated his family of three boys across
the country. Two of his sons were born in upstate Michigan before moving to California, Wichita
Falls, San Antonio and finally retiring back to Garland in 1974. Jesus attended and graduated
from Eastfield College in Mesquite with an associates degree in 1978. He served two terms as
Chairman of the local Chapter 137 of the Disabled Veterans and three terms as Chairman of
VFW Post 3359 in East Dallas. His chapter delivered Thanksgiving and Christmas Food baskets
for many years to families in need in Garland. All his sons graduated from Garland High School.
Jesus Jr. played on the soccer team at GHS. Richard played the saxophone in the band all four
years at GHS and also played in the GHS Orchestra. Youngest son Tony played baseball.
*Jesus Jr. enlisted in the Marines and retired after 20 years as a reservist. He is currently
employed by The Nestle Co. near Alliance Airport as a warehouse Manager. He lives with his
wife Laura and children Jesse and Alexis. Jesus also has two older children. Daughter Adenna
and granddaughter Breanna live in Rowlett. Son Joshua is married to Hailee and grandson
Joshua Paul also live in Rowlett .
*Richard lives with his wife Denise in Garland. Their three children all graduated from North
Garland MST High School. Richard and Denise were part of a parent group that re-established
the PTA for Beaver MST and Jackson MST and they helped start the Booster Club and Parent
Scholarship fund for Raider Theater at North Garland High School. Richard graduated from
Eastfield College with an associates degree. He had a 27-year career in the newspaper business
including 15 with The Dallas Morning News as an account executive in advertising sales.
Richard and Denise are now in business together as real estate agents for New Western Realty,
LLC. Their daughter Lacey lives in Dallas and works at the AT&T Performing Arts Center.
James graduated from Richland College with an associates degree and studied at The Kansas
City Art Institute. Jacob their youngest son will graduate from Drury University in Springfield,
Mo., with a degree in theater arts. Lacey and Jacob have both performed in shows all during their
high school years as well as won a number of the Fine Arts Theater awards known as The Patty
Granville Awards as well as University Interscholastic League medals. Lacey and Jacob both
have been cast in shows at The Patty Granville Summer Musicals, performed together at The
Pocket Sandwich Theater in Dallas, where Laceys photograph is on the wall of Pocket
performers. Jacob performed for the first time outside of Drury University and Collin College in
Plano at The Springfield Community Theater. He was mentioned in the local Springfield media
online as well as morning news shows. Richard and Denise also boast having the only two red-
haired Valle descendants of Manuel & Maria Valle.
*Tony enlisted in The United States Air Force and served for three years. He returned to Garland
and attended Criswell College in Dallas and graduated with his bachelors degree. He met his
wife Rosa, also a graduate of Criswell College, and they live in Garland with their two young
children, Anna and Caleb. Tony has been a third-grade teacher for the Dallas ISD for 12 years
and was relocated to George W. Bush Elementary School in Northwest Dallas as a second-grade
teacher.
Juaquin
The first Garland-born Valle later lived in Concord, Calif., with wife Brigida (Bicky) and sons
Lawrence, James and Christopher Valle. Juaquin, also known as King to his family and
friends, also excelled as a football player for Garland High School. Juaquin later enlisted in the
Marines. He met his wife Brigida and stayed in Northern California where he raised his sons.
James (Jimmy) was his only son that married and had a family. Jimmys son Matthew is
married to Natasha and is a police officer in the San Francisco area. He is currently being
considered for their SWAT Team. Jimmys daughter Candice lives and works in the San
Francisco area. Lawrence cared for his aging mother Brigida up until her recent death on July 2
at the age of 92. Christopher lives and works in San Francisco and had changed his first name to
Kristo.
Eugenia
The youngest daughter of Manuel and Maria Valle also participated on the Pep Squad during her
time at Garland High School. Eugenia has stayed in touch with some of her classmates and
attends all of her class reunions. Eugenia also known as Nena married Louis Greenleaf, a
career military man in the Air Force. Louis and Eugenia relocated their family across the USA
Florida, North Dakota and finally back to Fort Worth at Carswell AFB. All six of their children
graduated from Castleberry High School. Eugenia and Louis have the most family members that
have served in the military and four that are still active today. All three son-in-laws served in the
Air Force -- Doug Potts is married to Peggy; Louie Ramirez is married to Monica; and
Charles Richardson is married to Jeannie Marie. Three of Eugenias grandsons serve in the
Army -- Michael and Matthew Potts (active) and Paul Richardson. One, Jerad Greenleaf,
served in the Marines. Granddaughter Nikki Ramirez is active in the Air Force. And
granddaughter Katie Barboza served in the Air Force for a short time before marrying and
having her first child, son Jayden.
*Jeannie Marie is married to Charles Richardson. They live in Fort Worth. They have three
children Paul, Travis and Rawnda. Paul and his son George live in Fort Worth. Travis lives and
works as a rancher on a 3,000-acre cattle ranch in South Dakota. Rawnda is married to Randy
Draper and they have one son, Dylan Draper. Rawnda is a graduate of University of North
Texas. Jeannie Marie is also a graduate for TCJC in Fort Worth.
*Louis Rock Greenleaf lives in Sachse with his wife Jill. Their daughter Kellie Greenleaf
graduated from Garland High School and University of North Texas. She is a first-grade Teacher
in the Frisco ISD. Son Jerad Greenleaf lives with his young daughter in Garland. Louis works
for the Main Post Office in Garland.
*Monica and Louie Ramirez relocated to San Antonio where Monica is a civil service employee
for the U.S. government at Lackland AFB. They have three children. Patrick lives and works in
Chicago. Ruben is currently attending The University of Hawaii and Nikki is actively serving in
Wichita Falls. Monica attended TCJC in Fort Worth and graduated from The University of Texas
at Arlington and UT at San Antonio. Monica taught third grade for a short time at Back
Elementary School in Garland ISD.
*Peggy and Doug Potts live in Saginaw. Three of their four grown children have served in the
military. Katy Barboza lives in Saginaw with son Jayden. Michael Potts currently is an Army
Specialist stationed at Fort Hood. He has a young daughter Zaycee Liberty Potts. Julia recently
graduated from Boswell High School and lives with her parents. Matthew their youngest, just
graduated Army boot camp and will be stationed in New York.
*Annette Darr has three daughters and lives in Fort Worth. Her eldest, Elizabeth, is married to
Josh Winn and they have four children, Austin, Lauren, Tyler and Khloe Winn. Lindsey is
married to William Chaisson. They live in Arlington. Kimberly Darr, Annettes youngest
daughter, lives with her mother in Fort Worth.
*Michael and his partner James live in Arlington.
Jose Valle
Also known as Chepe, Jose was most likely the toughest of the six brothers. He also excelled
in sports at Garland High School and especially in football. His personality was bigger than life
and also one of the kindest as well. His rough exterior can be seen in his three sons, Jose Jr.,
John and Stephen (Steve). He met his wife Janie in Garland and together they have five
children, including also daughters Janie Jr. and Rose Anne. Jose served in the military as a
Marine. His military career was cut short during the Korean War when he was injured and later
awarded the Purple Heart.
*Jose Jr. graduated from Garland High and enlisted in the Air Force. He lives in Southern
California with his wife Monica and their two young children, Bianca and Joseph.
*Rose lives with her husband Victor Esparza in Rowlett. Rose has a grown daughter, Christan
Valle-Gonzales, that lives with her two children, Penelope and Elles, in North Garland. Christan
is a graduate of Rowlett High School and Texas A&M University.
*Steve lives with his wife Sandy in Farmers Branch. Steve graduated from Garland High
School. They have two grown sons, both actively serving in the Army. Chad was recognized by
the Farmers Branch City Council in 2007 for his service in the Army, particularly in The Middle
East. Craig, their youngest, is currently active in the Army and lives with his new wife Mallory
and daughter Joycelynn in Arkansas.
*John and his wife Lorie live in North Garland. They have one son, Justin, who graduated from
North Garland High School and The University of Texas at Dallas. If you like to visit or shop at
the Galleria, especially on a hot Texas summer day, John has been the manager of climate
control for the Galleria Complex for years.
*Janie Jr, the youngest sibling of Jose and Janie, lives with her husband Marlin in Poetry. They
have two grown daughters that are college graduates, Jacqui of Texas A&M University and
Jessica of Sam Houston State University. Jessica lives in Rockwall and works at a law practice
in Rockwall. She plans to be married in December to Austin White. Jacqui is married to Justin
Ingle and lives in Commerce with their two young children Cheyenne and Waylon Ingle. Janie
Graduated from North Garland High School
Pascual
Pascual and his wife Sylvia live in North Garland. Their two children graduated from North
Garland High School. Pascual was the citys first-ever all-state high school football selection,
achieving the honor in 1949. He also starred in track at East Texas State College.
Daughter Leticia (Letty) lives in Lowry Crossing and works for the city of Plano in animal
control. Letty has three grown children, Aric Rippy, Tierney Rippy and Alyssa Thomas. Aric
lives in Plano with Lauren Pinkerton and together they have two young children, Blake and
Jasper, and one on the way. Alyssa is married to Shane Thomas and together they have two
children, Kaiden and Stella. Tierny lives in McKinney with her young daughter, Aubree.
Son Tony while at North Garland, was a key member of the only Garland ISD baseball team to
ever play in the state tournament. He went on to pitch at Southwest Texas State University and in
the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets organizations. He and wife Montra have three children,
Cassie, Cameron and Christen, and live in Garland.
Luis
Manuel & Marias youngest son, also known as Butch, was well known for his achievements
in football before coming to Garland High School. In junior high, Luis played for the Garland
Owl Bees under the direction of coach Wallace Etheridge. He was mentioned many times in the
local papers sports section for his offensive achievements. Luis met Nikki Chase, a garland
native and Garland High alumni, they later married and made Garland their lifelong home. Luis
enlisted in the Marines and served during the Lebanon Crisis. Luis was a part of a parent group
that help start the Garland Soccer Association and he was one of the first to coach girls soccer in
Garland. Together they have five grown children.
*Shelly, their eldest daughter, was in the first graduating class at Lakeview Centennial High
School in 1980. Shelly is married to John Kainrad and lives in Ohio. Their daughters Karissa
and Kaylee both graduated from Kent State University in Ohio. Karissa is engaged to Rob
DiVincenzo.
*Melanie is married to Robert Hall and lives in Denton. They have two grown sons, Austin and
Tyler -- who is married to Meagan and, together, have their first child Brooklyn Hall.
*Kathy is married to Dario Gatica and lives in Garland. Together they have six children. Katie
and Katrina both participated in the color guard for the band at Garland High and graduated
from GHS. Katrina and Mike Wilson live in Garland with their children Elizabeth and Joseph.
Darla, D.J., Darlene and Nico all live with Kathy and Dario in Garland.
*Danny and partner Lerone Landis live in South Garland with their daughter Gabriel. Danny
participated in band at Garland High School, playing the saxophone. He graduated from The
University of North Texas. Danny has been an eighth-grade teacher in Dallas ISD.
*Angela is married to Pasha Gatu. Angie just recently moved back to Garland from Southern
California with her three boys, Luis, Quentin and newborn KyMani Gatu. Husband Pasha
remains in California to complete his studies and work at a hospital.
The Valle family has lived by the philosophy that you can do anything when you tell yourself
that you can. They have had many obstacles to overcome but never gave up. They have known
what it is to be different, to be poor, to be discriminated against. But all of this gave them more
fuel to excel. All their successes are because of hard work. They are all true living role models
for all their children and other children, especially for Hispanic children.
Manuel and Marias family has grown to 204 descendants, including spouses. Thirty-six family
members have graduated from five of the seven Garland ISD high schools. Four became teachers
of which two worked as elementary teachers in GISD. Four of the Manuel & Marias sons
attended and graduated from college and 23 of their children and grandchildren are college
graduates from numerous colleges and universities. All six of Manuel and Marias sons served in
the military during wartime. Fourteen of their children and grandchildren have served in the
military. Six are currently active duty.
Although Manuel and Maria did not have much education, they knew the importance of learning
and encouraged all of their children to finish school and go on to higher aspirations!