Santiago Valdez IV, 33, of Kennewick and Ephrata, Washington, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, March 9th, in Kennewick. He was known as Lucas to all who knew and loved him.

Lucas was so many things to so many people. He was a sweet, kind, generous, compassionate, loving, determined, adrenaline junky who would do anything for anyone. His contagious smile lit up a room, and he had a knack for making everyone feel special.

Lucas was born in Portland, Oregon on October 1, 1991, to parents Peggy and Jr. (Santiago Valdez III). He was joined by his favorite brother Jacob in April 1994. When he was four, his family moved to Kennewick to run a family business.

Lucas attended Sunset View, Desert Hills, and Kamiakin, graduating proudly with the class of 2010. In 2024, he received an A.A.S. in Project Management, and had almost completed a B.A.S. in Business Management at the time of his passing.

Lucas was a hard-working man and started his career at the ripe age of six months as a baby model, until age four. He appeared in numerous advertisements for OREO, clothing, and as a prop model.

As a young boy and well into adulthood, he spent his weekends, breaks, and summers working in the cornfields and shop alongside his dad and beloved Grandpa Jim, who was truly his best friend. At 15, he started his first paying job. He worked in various ATV and automotive part stores including Polaris, JMC Motorsports, and McCurley, working up to manager; until he started driving semi-trucks professionally. In 2022, he got a job as a Teamster for PNNL in Richland, where he worked until his passing.

Lucas LOVED anything with wheels and grew up driving everything he could get his hands on. He started with Hot Wheels but soon moved on to driving ATVs when he was five; and equipment and vehicles by 13. He loved to go fast. The faster the better. He had no fear and could make his ATV fly. His vacations were spent on trips where he could ride the biggest dunes, make the biggest jumps, and go as fast as he possibly could. Eventually, his need for speed took him to the racetrack. His racing career started at 16 when he raced in a Subaru WRX Autocross. He raced at several regional tracks starting in the Hornet Class and moved into the Hobby Stock, Super Late Models, and then back into Hobby Stock Divisions. He was Hobby Stock Rookie of the year in 2011. He had an undeniable passion for motorsports.

It was at the Hermiston racetrack in 2011 that he met his future bride, Wendy Hector of Ephrata. Lucas and Wendy have been friends for years. When the timing was right, they started dating and became engaged on October 5, 2024 at Tri-City Raceway; and were married on November 11, 2024, at 11:11 a.m. in his parents' backyard. On his wedding day, Lucas became a step-father to Makenna, Braelynn, and Hudson, all of whom he loved dearly and made him very proud.

Lucas is survived by his wife Wendy, parents Jr. and Peggy, brother Jacob, grandmas Donna Palmer and Otila Valdez. Surviving loved ones also include Sprocket, Makenna, Braelynn, and Hudson; aunts and uncles Paul Palmer, Patty and Al Rantman, Reyes and Wally Vela, Jaime Valdez, Elizabeth and Roy Rodriquez, Steven Valdez; and numerous beloved cousins.

Lucas was predeceased by his best friend and grandpa, Santiago Valdez II (Jim), and Uncle Bobby Valdez.

A funeral service will be held at Mueller's Greenlee Funeral Home located at 1608 W. Court Street in Pasco, on Saturday March 22nd, at 11:11 a.m. A public viewing will be held from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Lucas will be interned at Desert Lawn Memorial Park at 1401 S. Union Street in Kennewick following the service at 12:30 p.m. A Celebration of Life will be held at Tri-City Raceway, located at 8280 W. Van Giesen, West Richland, at 2:00 p.m.

In February 2013, Lucas adopted his dog Sprocket from a local animal shelter. Sprocket and Lucas were inseparable, and Lucas loved him very much. In honor of their love and friendship to each other, donations should be made to your local animal shelter or humane society.