Pascual Valle was told to go to South Texas “where your people are” when he was denied employment in Garland ISD upon his returned home as a war vet and college graduate. He had hoped to get a job as a coach at Garland High School, where 
he was a track and football superstar. However, Pascual declined to accept the suggestion that he leave Garland for an area where Hispanics were more prevalent at that time.
This was part of the Valle family story related by his wife, Sylvia Valle, at the recent Hispanic Heritage Month program. Sylvia, also denied employment because she was a minority. However, the couple decided to stay in Garland because this was where his family had settled in 1928. It was where they had lived and made connections. Sylvia was sure that people would see that they worked hard and were educated, likable people. Pascual went on to retire from Kraft Foods after 36 years. Sylvia retired from education after 36 years in Dallas ISD followed by nine years in Garland.
The Heritage Month celebration includes a display featuring the Garland Latino Heritage Cookbook, published by Friends of Garland’s Historic Magic 11th Street. In addition, vignettes of numerous leading Garland Latino families were included in the colorful exhibit. The exhibit is now at the Granville Arts Center until Nov. 10.
Valle family members, relatives of individuals on the displays and interested citizens filled the North Garland Branch Library room during the program. Treats from Latinos Bakery were served, and the North Garland High School World Dance Team performed.
Sylvia talked about Pascual’s dad, Manuel, who helped revolutionary leader Pancho Villa hide guns in hay for use in the revolution. She said it was Pancho Villa himself who encouraged Manuel and his brother to cross over to the United States. Manuel met and married Maria in El Paso and worked on the railroad in New Mexico and Colorado. He returned to El Paso 
at Maria’s insistence because her family was there. He went to work at the Dieterich Dairy, then the Dieterichs bought a farm in Garland (population 2,000 in 1928). Manuel was asked to help run the dairy, which was east of Dairy Road.
Sylvia said that the city administration closed the dairy during World War II. They feared that because the Dieterichs were German, they would poison the community. The Dieterichs moved it to Denison, and Manuel went to work for Cabell’s Dairy in Dallas.
Though he never had the opportunity to coach at his high school, Pascual was a volunteer coach in his children’s sports for 20 years.
“All the neighborhood children came to Pascual to play with his team,” Sylvia said. “Some were recruited professionally, including their son, Tony, who went to the Atlanta Braves.”
In 2014, GISD named of one of its administration buildings for the Valle parents which was a high point. Officials in that building deal with the immigrants and homeless individuals.
She showed photos from “The Catus Chronicles,” a musical drama production honoring the Valle family in 2021 and the unveiling of the Texas Historical Marker near the Valle home place earlier this year. Both were projects of Friends of Garland’s Historical Magic 11th Street.
Pascual will be honored as an outstanding alumnus of Garland High School during the All-GHS reunion Oct. 14 at the school.
The exhibit was a collaboration of the Friends nonprofit, the Heritage Crossing – City of Garland and the Garland Library System.
The Garland Latino Heritage Cookbook may be checked out at any branch library.
Photos by Kay Moore.