Obituary of Elmo Valdes

Elmo Manuel Valdes was born in Tampa, Florida on June 29, 1925. He died in his home in Houston, Texas on January 22, 2017. Elmo will be remembered and mourned by his many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Manuel and Grace Valdes; brother, Victor G. Valdes; and his cousin, Alice Moore. He is survived by his sister-in-law, Rose Messina Valdes; niece, Maria Grace Valdes; and cousins, Simona Moore Rodgers, Edward Moore, Ryan Moore and Katie Reagan. Elmo was a graduate of the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Architecture and did graduate studies at the Ecole des Beaux Artes at Foutainbleau, France. After graduation, Elmo moved to Houston in the 1950s, starting a very successful career as an architect. Elmo designed some of Houston’s most outstanding buildings and was one of Houston’s most sought after and innovative designers. He was a mentor to so any young architects, all of whom cherished his advice in all areas, personal and professional. Elmo was an Architect Emeritus of the American Institute of Architects and a member of the Texas Society of Architects and the RDA. Special gratitude to his caregivers, Lenora Davis, Patricia Sowell, Chris Straughter, Louise Roberts, Dorine McIntosh, and Alandra Sowell. Elmo was a most sought after guest in many family and party gatherings because of his creative and youthful personality. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: RSA-Paris, Rice School of Architecture, Rice University, P.O. Box 1892, Houston, Texas, 77251-1892. A memorial mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Monday, February 6, 2017, at St. Anne’s Catholic Church, 2140 Westheimer, in Houston, Texas. Elmo will be laid to rest at Glenwood Cemetery in Houston, Texas. We loved him dearly.