Dr. Rodolfo General (Rod) Valera, age 88 of Pikeville, Kentucky passed away Wednesday, May 31, 2023 at the Pikeville Medical Center.

He was born in Bulacan Philippines on March 11, 1935 a son of the late Hermogenes Valera and Trinidad General Valera.

A 1963 graduate of Manila Central University in the Philippines, Valera completed his surgical residency and training at Veteran’s Memorial Hospital, also in the Philippines, in 1965. He helped those in his country by providing a year of mission work before he moved to Brooklyn, New York, where he completed an internship and residency in general medicine at Jewish Hospital and Medical Center from 1966-1969.

Upon completing his training, Valera worked as an emergency room physician in Norton, Virginia, for two years after which he moved to Elkhorn City where he went into practice with Dr. Paul L. Odom. Later Valera worked for a time in conjunction with Drs. Page, Cox and Stamper. He was board certified in family practice and operated the Marrowbone Clinic at Regina along with Dr. Arrel Olono for many years.

Dr. Valera is a member of the American Medical Association, the Kentucky Medical Association, the American Academy of Family Physicians, and the Pike County Medical Society. In addition, he was on the medical staff at Pikeville Methodist Hospital since 1974 before his retirement.

“I always knew I wanted to be a doctor from the time I was a little boy,” he once reflected. “I love helping people.” His late brother, Dr. E.G. Valera once confirmed his older brother’s passion for healing. “My brother had his sights set on becoming a doctor. Even if he was not my brother, I would still say that he is a good person, a dedicated doctor, and a wonderful family man.”

When Dr. Valera had the opportunity for a little free time, he enjoyed golf and fishing with family and friends.

Along with his father and mother, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Erlindo General Valera and Ricardo General Valera.

He is survived by his wife, Rosalinda Jose’ Valera, a son, Rody-John Jose’ Valera (Trish) of Yukon, Oklahoma and three daughters, Josephine Jose’ Valera of Louisville, Kentucky, Jocelyn Jose’ Hewitt of Anacortes, Washington and Joanmarie Valera Holland (Jody) of Pikeville, Kentucky; brothers and sisters, Annabella Villanueva of Queens, New York, Aurora Angeles of Pinas, Phillipines, Manuela Castle of Destin, Florida and Caridad Dantes of Nanuet, New York.

He is also survived by eight grandchildren, Billy G. Ratliff Jr. (Kristy), Katana Marie Ratliff, Chelsea Lynn Hewitt (Hal), Jackson Scott Holland, Grant Stone Holland, Makena Rose Holland, Nathan Petts (Elizabeth) and Alex Petts (Lara) and six great-grandchildren, Madalyne Kinnett, Lana Claire Owens, Anabella Marie Pratt, Jaxson Petts, Donna Petts and Oliver Petts.

Funeral Services for Dr. Rodolfo G. Valera will be Private.