Died February 12, 2021.

Guillen Middle School, El Paso, TX

Music

Local news:

An educator who taught music died over the weekend.

Alfredo Valles died from COVID-19, confirmed his family.

Valles was also known as Freddy.

He was the band director at El Paso Independent School District, Guillen Middle School.

Valles’ niece, Ruby Montana, said Valles died on Feb. 12 after being hospitalized for more than a month for COVID-19.

“We had every confidence he would survive because he was healthy and his lungs were so strong from playing trumpet his whole life,” said Montana.

Montana said Valles had initially gone to Providence East hospital on Jan. 6 and was placed on a ventilator two weeks later.

Valles, who had no pre-existing condition, died at age 60.

He was a family man, adored by his wife, children, grandchildren, siblings, nieces and nephews. He was always positive– always had a smile on his face. He was selfless and caring and had a timeless suaveness to him. He never ever spoke ill of anyone, never cursed, and never raised his voice. He was a rare gentle soul.

Proper Print Shop had shirts made in honor of Valles.

The proceeds from the shirts will be given to the Guillen Middle School Band.

An educator from Las Cruces also died from COVID-19. Elizabeth Placencio was 42 years old.