Eduardo Valenzuela Jr aka: Dukes

Eduardo Valenzuela Jr., known to everyone as Dukes, died on August 28, 2026, in Bakersfield, California, two days before his 54th birthday. He was 53. Dukes was born on August 30, 1972, in Bakersfield to Eduardo J. and Maria Valenzuela. He is survived by his four daughters, Erica, Vanessa, Briana, and Marisela; his siblings, Joseph and Andrea Valenzuela, 5 grandchildren (Nicholas, Luke, Logan, Bryant & granddaughter Nora) and numerous uncles, aunts, cousins, and friends. He graduated from Bakersfield Adult School and spent his working life in service to his community and his family, holding jobs at Kern Medical Center, Stewart Electrical, the State of Agriculture, and Superior Food Stores, among other work along the way. He was the kind of person who showed up and did what needed doing. But Dukes was most himself when he was doing the things he loved. He was a devoted Dodgers fan who could talk baseball with anyone willing to listen. He had a passion for collecting caps—a collection that grew steadily over the years and told the story of his interests and where life had taken him. He loved gangster movies; the kind of films that kept him entertained on quiet afternoons and gave him plenty to discuss with friends and family.