Juan Valentin Sermeño 54, passed away after a valiant battle with illness on August 2nd, 2008 surrounded by family and in the loving care of the V.A Medical Hospital. He was born in El Paso, TX on September 7, 1953 to Juan Sermeño and Virginia Arriola. Always proud of his country and what it stood for, Juan joined the U.S. Air Force after graduating High School. After his tour of duty in the Vietnam War, Juan continued his military career for 20 years as a Crew Chief. While serving and with the support of his loving wife and growing family by his side, Juan traveled the world gracing such places as Turkey, Spain and Germany with his final tour at Davis Monthan AFB. After retiring from the Air Force, Juan joined the U.S. Postal Service continuing to serve as long as he could. A man of many interests, Juan's passion for drag racing was surpassed only by his love of history and deep respect for Native American culture. Juan will be remembered as a wise and kind friend and family man whose absence will truly be felt. Juan is survived by his wife of 37 years, Belinda Sue Galvan (Dink); children, Elisa Sermeño and Arthur Lason, Marco and Jeneen Sermeño, Laura Sermeño and Christopher Sutherland, Sara Sermeño and Patrick Coffey; grandchildren, Aaron (Poie), Ryan (Chapi), Liliana (Miss Marie), Mia (Comochi) and Tyler (Bollio); siblings, Andy, Ana, Humberto, Virginia, Eddie, Gabriel, Cristina, Joel and Alex; in-laws (though Juan never made a distinction, all were family) Abel and Mary Galvan, Daniel and Beth with Amanda and David Galvan, and Michael and Kathleen with Stephan Galvan. The family would like to extend a sincere Thank You to all the staff at the VA Hospital. We will all miss his wonderful smile. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 6, from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at ADAIR FUNERAL HOMES, Dodge Chapel, 1050 N. Dodge Blvd. Funeral service will begin on Thursday, August 7 at 10:00 a.m. at Adair with interment to follow at East Lawn Palms Cemetery.

Published in the Arizona Daily Star on Aug. 5, 2008