| "The only problem during Theo’s time with the side show was the controversy over the inclusion of a gorilla named John Daniel 2nd.. The members of the Strange Folk Society, which represented the sideshow performers, protested the inclusion of an animal there. “He doesn’t belong with us anyway.” said Princess Wee Wee, the world’s smallest woman, “He belongs in the zoo.” Tom Ton remarked that he had been slighted since the gorilla appeared, adding “that Cliquot, the African Bushman, who looks more like a gorilla than John Daniel had also been slighted.” Theo continued to gain weight, and the rigors of constantly being on the road with the circus became so difficult that he could no longer continue. He took a job appearing at Coney Island. Although he hated the East and he hated leaving his wife and three children in Los Angeles, this was the only way he could support them. Just living became difficult.For several years he struggled to find a place to sit down. No chair would hold him. He could not even sit at a table and dine, for his chubby arms would not reach to the table. He could not take a regular bath. Beds broke beneath him, ... he was the victim of many falls. Once down it was extremely difficult for him to rise. He could walk only very slowly and move carefully His muscles were so exerted that he was exhausted after a few steps. Valenzuela’s weight increased to over 900 pounds, with a sudden increase of 100 pounds in a month. His heart weakened and he experienced extreme difficulty in breathing. He knew he was dying and he wanted to be at home for his final days. He managed to get space in a baggage car and he headed west to Los Angeles, growing ever weaker. The trainmen spread word that Tom Ton was aboard and at stops people came to peep in the car. He kept his show business demeanor, smiled his show business smile, waved and still played the roll of the old “Happy Val” and the jolly Tom Ton. At Los Angeles he was met by a two ton truck which took him to the general hospital. Two beds at the hospital were fastened together and braced to hold his weight. There he died at the age of 39. A final indignity was when the County Coroner wanted to perform a post mortem autopsy, but the family strenuously objected. Resting in state for three days, over 40,000 persons filed past Theo’s bier paying their last respects. Requiem mass was said at St. Vibiana’s Church, attended by hundreds of circus and show business people. The body was buried in Calvary cemetery. Twelve men were required to move the coffin to its final resting place where a block and tackle were used to lower the coffin into the grave. Theo was survived by his wife and three children. He had managed to support his family as a side show attraction, but he had not gotten rich. After his death, his widow had to go to work as a school custodian to support herself and the children. The source of Valenzuela’s fame was the cause of his early death. He had become Tempe’s most famous native, although in his home town he was ridiculed with the nickname of “Fatty.” Under an almost impossible burden, he provided for his family, projected an aura of good humor, and even in his dying days, maintained a professionalism that upheld the traditions of the show business he so hated." |
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| Early 1924. Theo was then appearing at the World's Museum in L.A. With him is his wife Leona and boys Eddie, Theo Jr. and Pete |
| Probably 1923 with wife and sons |
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