“You cannot harm me, you cannot harm one who has dreamed a dream like mine” (Indian Warrior Song).



I wanted to quickly send this to you regarding my father. We are looking possibly at 

​April 30 services here in Sacramento 

Luis Valenzuela Rodriguez left this mortal world on Thursday April 14, 2016, at 7:28 p.m. surrounded by his family and friends. He was sixty years old. Songs and prayers were offered to honor him from the four directions.

Luis was innocent. He fought with determination to prove his innocence for 37 years. Lies were told about him; in the media, in the courtroom. Many let him down and betrayed him, but many more loved him and stood by him. Despite the great injustice that befell him and despite all the indignities he was subjected to in prison, Luis woke up every morning with a prayer of gratitude, thanking the creator for another day on earth, even if it meant it would be spent behind bars. His spirit was never broken. His sovereignty never compromised. He walked his path with dignity. Always.

Luis was no angel. He had his faults… he was human. But he was a good man. He was intense but fair in his dealings with others. He was a man of his word. He shared what little he had with those who had less. He gave guidance and encouragement to many. He counseled the young, hoping to change their perspective on life so that they would never have to return to prison (You know who you are).

Luis was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, son and brother. His physical body was not home with us, but he was ever present in our lives. He was more of a father, of a husband, than many men out there who get to go home to their families every night.

Luis was Apache-Mestizo. He was a warrior. His medicine was powerful. He died in prison, then came back to life, then woke-up from a coma and rose in his hospital bed to dance to the beat of his daughter’s drum… Who does that? Luis Valenzuela Rodriguez. That’s who!

Luis chose his passing. He gathered us around him to say goodbye and see him out on his journey. He obliterated the prison from his hospital room and from his life and he passed to the spirit world a free man.

We are proud to call Luis our husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, son, brother, cousin and friend.