Dr. Herbert Edward (Herb) Valentine, Jr. passed away Tuesday
January 6, 209 at home with his family. He was born August
25, 1917, at his home place in Valentines, Virginia. He
graduated from Randolph Macon College in Ashland and The
University of Virginia School of Medicine. While serving his
internship in internal medicine at Emory University, he met
and married Bonnelle Lawson of Gainesville, Ga.
Herb joined the Navy in 1943 as a medical officer and was
assigned to the first Marine division in the South Pacific,
serving in combat in Okinawa and Peleliu. He returned to
complete his residency at Emory, and later moved to
Gainesville to begin private practice. He admitted one of
the first patients to the Northeast Georgia Medical Center.
Herb practiced medicine in Gainesville for 43 years. He
served as Chief of Staff of the Medical Center and was named
Civitan Man of the Year in 1963. He was active member of the
Kiwanis Club and St. Paul United Methodist Church. He was a
founding member of the Chattahoochee Country Club and of the
Christian Education Center, now Centerpoint.
"Dr. V" was passionate in the love of his family, the care
of his patients, and Gainesville High School athletics. He
attended thousands of practices and games, and was
faithfully trusted to be on the sidelines. In later years,
he and Bonnelle through their love of land and farming
created Valentine Farms, becoming national leaders in the
breeding of Angus cattle. Through this adventure, they
developed lifelong friendships with cattlemen locally and
nationally.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Bonnelle Lawson
Valentine, Gainesville, three sons, Thomas E. Valentine of
Gross Pointe, MI, Richard L. Valentine and his wife, Cherry,
of Gainesville, and Dr. C. Michael Valentine and his wife,
Shannon, of Lynchburg, VA, grandchildren Leigh, Brad,
Catherine, Jack and Brooke, hsi sister, Anne Valentine
Pfeiffer and her husband Don, of Cammarillo, CA.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, January 10, 2009
at the St. Paul United Methodist Church at 2:00 p.m., with a
reception to follow at the church.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution
to the Gainesville High School Athletic Fund, P.O. Box 3141,
Gainesville, Ga. 30503, St. Paul United Methodist Church
Building Fund, 404 Washington Street, Gainesville, Ga. 30501
or a favorite charity of one's choice.
Those wishing to send online condolences may do so at
masonandwardfuneralhomeandcremation.com
Mason & Ward Funeral Home, 1190 McEver Road, Gainesville,
Ga. 770-287-0220
