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Dwain Delano Valez, 83

Reverend Dwain Delano Valez, 83, longtime resident of Priest River, Idaho, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Oct. 30, 2017, after a long battle with cancer. He was born on Dec. 22, 1933, in Minneapolis, Minn. His family later moved to Canoga Park, Calif., where he met and married Shirlee, his high school sweetheart, in 1956.

He attended Pierce College and later received his B.A. in biblical and theological studies from Biola University. In 1956, he spent three months in Cuba in missionary training. He did his graduate work at the Talbot School of Theology and was ordained by the Independent Fundamental Churches of America.

Dwain worked as a floor-covering contractor for the family business (Valez Floor Covering) while serving as assistant pastor and youth director of Christ Community Church, in Canoga Park, and later as the founder and pastor of Moorpark Bible Church, in Moorpark, Calif.

As a lifelong entrepreneur, Dwain and Shirlee moved their family to Priest River in 1973, where they started a cattle ranch (L-V Ranch), a church (Snow Valley Bible), and where he continued to work as a floor-covering contractor. After retiring from cattle ranching, they opened River City Interiors, an interior supply store. With his daughter, Susan, he opened and ran the La Rosa Mexican Restaurant and later did the bookkeeping for the four Mi Pueblos Mexican Restaurants.

He served on the Bonner County School Board, was a member of the Grange, Masonic Lodge, and the Grand Patron of Eastern Star of Idaho. He continued in his role as a minister until his death.

Dwain is survived by Shirlee, his wife of 61 years, and their six children: Susan and Alan Galloway, Carolyn and Stanko Vranjes, Kimberly (Altmaier) and Mark Staples, Jon and Cheryl Valez, Ruth and Kevin Johnson, Lisa and Jeff Breisacher, as well as 17 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Dwain was preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence and Florence Valez, and two siblings, Nancy Lucas and Dayle Valez. He is survived by siblings, Sharon Tibbitts, Donna (Andrews) and Jim McClure, Barbara and John Westra, Kathy and Robert Westra and David and Thressa Valez.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19, 2017, at the Priest River Event Center. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bonner Community Hospice in Sandpoint or Schneidmiller Hospice House in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

Sherman-Campbell Funeral Home in Priest River is in charge of arrangements. Family and friends are invited to sign the online guest book at shermancampbell.com.