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Johnny Valentine played Baseball, Basketball, Golf and Wrestling. He was a Chronicle reporter, in Speech and National Forensic League, as well as Red Cross and Homeroom Representative.
Died 10/15/2011 in Prescott, Arizona
10/25/2011 10:00:00 PM
Obituary: John C. Vallentine II March 29, 1945 - October 15, 2011 |
John C. Vallentine II, 66, passed away Oct. 15, 2011, at his home in Prescott, Ariz. A private family service has taken place and a public memorial gathering will take place at 5 p.m. this Sunday, Oct. 30, 2011, at Prescott Resort, 1500 State Route 69, in Prescott.
In keeping with Mr. Vallentine's social and generous nature, dinner will be served at the occasion.
Mr. Vallentine was born in Tucson, Ariz., on March 29, 1945, the middle child and only son of Major John C. Vallentine and Ruthann Vallentine. He attended Tucson High School, where he was an all-state wrestler, national debate champion and charter member of the Tucson Boys Chorus. Mr. Vallentine spent summers working at the family ranch in Nebraska prior to taking courses in business, English, and social science at the University of Arizona.
After college, Mr. Vallentine worked in the Alaskan oilfields, where he rose from a rig "roughneck" to work crew director in just a few short years. His intensive labor experience undoubtedly contributed to the humbleness and generosity he so often demonstrated.
Mr. Vallentine had a highly successful career as a reporter and television news anchor in markets all across the United States. He received numerous awards and accolades for his achievements, set standards for journalistic professionalism, and earned the position as Vice President and Director of News for the Alaska Television Network.
Mr. Vallentine used his on-camera presence and solid reputation to launch numerous humanitarian efforts for charities like Shriners' Children's Hospital and Casa De Los Ninos. He established a statewide telethon benefiting Ethiopian famine victims, generating hundreds of thousands of dollars in relief aid.
Mr. Vallentine first moved to Prescott in 1988, when he envisioned, organized, and opened Prescott House, a drug treatment center for men that provides family crisis intervention and addiction counseling. In 1994, he started Pia's Place, a center for women, out of the same concept.
Mr. Vallentine championed collaborative efforts to raise funds and public awareness about alcoholism and addiction, in addition to orchestrating programs and hosting events with such influences as former First Lady, Betty Ford.
Of his many late accomplishments, Mr. Vallentine was perhaps most proud of his co-creation of the SAVE Program, an Arizona non-profit organization that connects professionals with students in need of support. To date, the SAVE Program has raised upwards of $1,000,000 in free health care for local students.
Mr. Vallentine was one-of-a-kind, larger than life and absolutely irreplaceable. Much of his free time was spent with family, especially his daughter and son. He also loved playing golf with his friends at Antelope Hills. Some of his many other interests included travel, real estate, the stock market, current affairs, Motown music, sporting events, and playing with his favorite dog, Duke.
Mr. Vallentine is survived by his sisters, Roxann and Flame Vallentine of Tucson; loving daughter, Stephanie Vallentine of Prescott; loving son, John C. Vallentine III of Prescott; granddaughter, Clara Cassidy Newton of Prescott; grandson, Austin James Newton of Prescott; cousins, Jan Vallentine of Littleton, Cherry Vallentine of Seneca, and Jeff Vallentine of Albuquerque, N.M.
The family suggests that donations in John's memory be made to Yavapai Big Brothers and Big Sisters, 3208 Lakeside Village, Prescott, AZ 86301 or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Hampton Funeral Home was entrusted with the arrangements. Please visit www.hamptonfuneralhome.com to sign John's guestbook.
Information provided by survivors. |
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Flame Jilleen Vallentine
A sincere thank you to those offering your condolescences on the passing of my dear brother. For those of you interested in more about Johnny's life, please see the photos posted under my profile.
Jennie Longo (Wilson)
Flame so sorry to hear of Johnny's passing. I know you will miss him, he did a lot to help a lot of people.