Michael Edward Valencia of Middleton, Idaho passed away on August 19, 2024, after his short battle with dementia. Michael was born on December 29, 1964, to Ricardo and Carole Valencia in Newport, California. He moved around growing up but always found the basketball team and good friends wherever he went. After serving a full-time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Boise Idaho Mission from 1983 to 1985, he married Barbara Wright for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake City temple on April 23, 1987. Knowing that his passion was sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ, he endeavored to teach seminary. Soon after graduating from Brigham Young University, he moved his small family to Middleton, Idaho to begin his teaching career, and quickly made Middleton the place he would always call home.
He and his wife, Barbara, expanded their family and had 6 children together that Michael loved and took pride in. He was always a family man and loved to be supportive and involved in whatever his family was doing. More than anything, he loved to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ to his students and family. Outside of family, work, and church, he enjoyed watching and playing basketball, playing tennis with his close friends and family, and always enjoyed indulging in some of his favorite snacks like ice cream, popcorn, peanut m&m’s, or anything chocolate. Ultimately Michael was up for anything as long as he was surrounded by those he loved.
Michael was preceded in death by his parents Ricardo and Carole Valencia. He is survived by his siblings: Ricardo Valencia Jr., Mark Valencia, David Valencia, and Tish Cayton; as well as by Barbara Valencia and their six kids and their families: Elisha Bills (Nathan, Brylin, Ambry, Kirtley, McKay, Pratt), Hannah Valencia, Hilary Palmer (Daniel), Sarah Albertson (Parker, Sailor, Capri, LeDoux), Joseph Valencia, and Halli Valencia.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM, Friday, August 23, 2024, at the Middleton Stake Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located at 23644 Old Highway 30 Caldwell, Idaho 83607. A viewing will be held prior to the funeral service from 9:00 to 10:45 AM. Interment at the Middleton Cemetery following the service.
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