Felix Duron Sandoval

March 31, 1933 - September 28, 2026

Felix Duron Sandoval passed away peacefully on September 28, 2026, at the age of 93, surrounded by the love and comfort of his family. Felix was born March 31, 1933, in LaCoste, Texas, to Alejandro and Ignacia Sandoval.

During part of his childhood and early years, Felix traveled with his family following seasonal agricultural work, helping pick crops wherever work was available. His formal education ended after the third grade, but the work ethic, perseverance, and sense of responsibility he learned early in life remained with him always.

Felix proudly served in the United States Army from 1953 to 1955.

In the late 1950s, he began working for Magnolia Chemical Company in San Antonio, where his abilities caught the attention of Robert “Bob” DeRosier. In 1960, Bob offered Felix an opportunity to relocate to Dallas and join Research Products Company. That opportunity began a long career in the chemical industry and a lifelong friendship between the two men.

Through years of hard work, sound judgment, and leadership, Felix rose through the ranks, ultimately serving on the Board of Directors of AMREP, Inc., where he remained until his retirement.

Outside of his corporate career, Felix also had a keen interest in real estate. Beginning in the early 1970s, he invested in and managed several properties, an endeavor he continued for many years. Like so much of his life, his success in real estate was built through hard work, patience, and a natural instinct for business.

Felix married his beloved wife, Stella, who was already the mother of seven children. Together they built a life and home for their growing family and later welcomed their daughter, Teresa. Through the years, Felix came to be known as Dad and Gramps, forming bonds that went far beyond titles and lasted throughout his life.

Felix is survived by his daughter, Teresa Diaz and her husband, Rudy; his cherished grandchildren, Celeste Escobedo and her husband, Chris, and Adam Diaz and his wife, Amy; and his great-grandchildren, Christopher, Charlie, Cara, Celestie, and Arthur, with another great-grandson expected in November.

He is also survived by his children, Johnny F. Valadez, James E. Valadez, Maria Caballero and her husband, Joe, and David Valadez and his wife, Rose, who throughout the years lovingly knew him as Dad or Gramps, and, above all, family.

Felix shared a particularly special bond with his granddaughters Bianca Flores and Julia Bonilla, whom he loved as his own.

He is also survived by his brothers, Frank Sandoval and his wife, Carmen, Joe Sandoval and his wife, Sandra; and his sister-in-law, Virginia Sandoval. Felix also held a special place in his heart for his numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

Felix is reunited in eternal peace with his wife, Stella Sandoval; his parents, Alejandro and Ignacia Sandoval; his sons, Robert, Daniel, and Steven Valadez; grandsons Richard, Joseph, David, and Steven Valadez. He also joined his beloved siblings, Angelita Mendez, Candida Martinez, Audelia Sandoval, Eulalia Ortegon, Richard D. Sandoval, Nicolas D. Sandoval, Luz D. Sandoval, Juan D. Sandoval, and Juanita Sandoval. He was also preceded in death by the little ones in his family who were lost at birth, whose brief lives were never forgotten.

Felix will be remembered for a life of hard work and accomplishment, but most of all for the kindness, generosity, humility, compassion, and love he extended to his family and to those fortunate enough to know him.

Visitation will be held at Jeter and Son Funeral Home, 4830 West Illinois Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75211 on Thursday, October 15, 2026, from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM, with a Rosary at 5:30 P.M. A funeral service will take place at the funeral home on Friday, October 16, 2026, at 11:30 AM with Chaplain Joseph Sundararaj officiating. Burial to follow at Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery.

Pallbearers are grandsons Adam Diaz and Marcus Valadez, great-granddaughter Bianca Flores, nephews Frankie Sandoval, Jacob Palacios, and Emilio Martinez Jr.