Frederick Allen Valade

Frederick Allen Valade, age 80, passed away peacefully on February 26, 2026.

Born on August 2, 1945, Fred grew up in Rensselaer, Indiana, where he graduated from Rensselaer High School and built the foundation of a life defined by hard work, loyalty, and deep connection to people. He was the son of Philip Valade (d. 1986) and Laura Valade (d. 1994).

Fred proudly served in the United States Army National Guard before joining his father and brother, Bill, in the family business, Rensselaer Electric. His skill with his hands and his love for all things electrical never left him. After moving to New Mexico, Fred enjoyed a long and fulfilling career at the PNM San Juan Generating Station, where he worked as an electrician for nearly 30 years before retiring.

Fred loved to travel with his wife, Pennye, and was known everywhere he went as someone who never met a stranger. He had a gift for conversation-especially if it involved electricity-and an even greater gift for truly seeing people. Fred often spoke of his ability to see the auras around others, a quiet gift that reflected how deeply he noticed and understood those he encountered. He had a rare ability to recognize people for who they truly were, making them feel known, valued, and understood. Those who experienced it never forgot it.

He loved gardening, spicy foods, and animals of every kind-he truly never met one he didn't love. Fred will be remembered for his soft, distinctive laugh, his fierce love for his family, and yes, his legendary stubbornness, which was matched only by the depth of his devotion to the people he cared about.

Fred is survived by his beloved wife, Pennye; his children Sheila (Michael) Collins, Robin (Wayne) Rock, Julie (Chip) Cambe, and Alan (Sherri) Valade; ten grandchildren; and sixteen great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Philip and Laura Valade; his brother, Bill Valade; and his sister, Roseanne Nagel.

Viewing and Visitation with the family will be held from 10:00 till 11:30 AM on Wednesday March 4, 2026. The Holy Rosary will be recited at 11:30, followed by a Funeral Mass at 12:00 Noon at Christ the King Catholic Church, Highway 64, Shiprock, NM 87420. Interment will follow services at Memory Gardens Cemetery of Farmington, 6917 E. Main St., Farmington, NM 87401. A reception will follow burial at the Courtyard Marriott (Next to Dennys) 560 Scott Ave, Farmington, NM 
Serving as Pallbearers will be: Wayne Swart, Chip Cambe, Mike Collins, Alan Valade, Mitch Coey and James Scott.

In lieu of flowers donations in Fred's memory may be made to the Alzheimer's Foundation or Basin Hospice