Richard Valentine, 75, of Fairplay, TX, passed away on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018, at his home. He was born on Jan. 14, 1943, in New Orleans to the late Junior Valentine and Dorothy Mae Brown. He graduated from Washington Union High School in Fresno, CA with the class of 1963. Richard joined the U.S. Navy and served during Vietnam and was honorably discharged. He earned an associates degree from Fresno City College and began his career with PG&E. Mr. Valentine moved to Carthage in 1986, from Fresno and later moved to the Fair Play Community. He married Carolyn Faye Allison on April 26, 1987, in Carthage. Richard worked for Carthage Cup, TXDOT, and later at CISD. He enjoyed carpentry, general contracting, reading, dominos, music, and spending time with his friends and family. One of his passions was coaching, having founded the youth tackle football league in Carthage. He was preceded in death by his parents; a child, Shaka Valentine; and a brother, Lionel Valentine.

Mr. Valentine is survived by his wife, Carolyn of Fairplay; his children, Erich Valentine of San Jose, Kevin Valentine of Fresno, Mardrees Valentine of Fresno, Richard T. "Ricky" Valentine of Lincoln, NE, Junious Robert "Robbie" Valentine and wife Shanna of Houston, Ryan Tremayne Valentine of Fairplay, Jana Hardy and husband Earnest of Houston, Ebony "Nicky" Valentine-Roberson of Las Vegas, and Petra Valentine-Haynes of Fresno; brothers, Larry and Taza Valentine of New Orleans, David and Freddie Crawford of Portland OR, and John Woodard of Fresno; sisters, Dorthea Crawford and LaShaun Woodard of Fresno; 29 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; and aunt, Helen of New Orleans. Numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many friends also survive Mr. Valentine.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2018, at Bethlehem Baptist Church with Rev. T.L. Allison and Rev. J.T. Harris officiating under the direction of Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home. Interment with military honors will follow in Jerusalem Cemetery in Fairplay. The family will receive friends from 6-7 p.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home.

Pallbearers are Junious Valentine, Khalil Valentine, Ryan Valentine, Justin Castleberry, Jamar Hardy, and Tyrone Allison. Honorary pallbearers are Larry Valentine, Taza Valentine, David Crawford, Freddie Crawford, John Woodard, Michael Wilcots, Clifford White, and the former Red Dawgs football players.

A guestbook may be signed online at www.jimerson-lipsey.com.