Don L. Valentine, 72, of Sedro Woolley, Wash., died July 19, 2005, at a Tacoma, Wash., hospital.
His graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Friday at the Aumsville Cemetery.
Don was born on July 10, 1933, at Hermiston to Leonard and Lola Morin Valentine. He was the seventh of their eight children and he spent most of his youth in Baker County.
He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean conflict and was very proud of his daughter, Dawn, who served in the U.S. Navy Reserves as a yeoman petty officer 3rd class.
His work in construction took him many places, and though he lived away much of the time, he always thought of Baker City as home. He was particularly proud that he had worked on the Mason Dam project. An injury disabled him in mid-life and he became an avid fisherman. He loved to hunt and mine for gold, and he excelled at gardening and growing beautiful roses. He also carved many useful items from wood. He had an infectious laugh and a warm sense of humor.
Don married Judy Profitt Johnson in Baker City on May 25, 1964. He was preceded in death by Judy, who died on May 9, 2003, and a longtime companion, Freda Boesch. Freda’s family, Rita and Tom Murphy, and Kaye and Burrell Frye, and their two children, Porsh Boesch-Frye and Daniel Frye accepted him as family and have treasured memories of him.
He also was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Leonard Jr., Gilbert “Sam,” and Leo; and a sister, Cleo Olp.
Survivors include his children, Dawn LeAnn Mack of Sedro Woolley, Wash., and John Lee of Louisville, Ky.; grandchildren, Amanda and Dustin Mack of New Hope, Pa., and Elizabeth Valentine of Louisville, Ky.; brothers, Darel and LeRoy, and sister, Velma Blando of Baker City; and many nieces and nephews, who have loving memories of time spent with Uncle Don.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, July 29, 2005
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor