James Randolph Valentine passed away peacefully on November 19, 2017 at home in Mount Vernon, WA. James was born on April 6, 1932 in Mount Vernon to Tom and Violet Valentine. He attended Skykomish Grade School and Junior High and graduated from Monroe High School in 1950. In 1951 Jim joined the Navy and served 4 years before receiving an Honorable Discharge in 1955. While in the Navy he was stationed in Japan and Kwajalein in the South Pacific. James married the love of his life, Marilyn L. Henson, of Mount Vernon on August 21, 1953. Together they had three children, son Randy Valentine of Marysville, son Roger (Pam) Valentine of LaConner, daughter Karen Neeter of Bellingham and grandchildren; Bryan Valentine, Jamie Valentine, Brandi Valentine, Carmen Valentine, Cory Valentine, Amanda Neeter, and Carson Neeter. Jim retired from the Texaco Refinery in 1993 after 34 years of faithful service.

Jim had many hobbies and interests including deer hunting, fishing, bowling, camping in Eastern Washington on the Chewak River and he truly enjoyed being a grandpa and great grandpa. He was the Postmaster of the Rexville Grange, a member of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Chauffer's Warehouse and Helpers. He was also a member the International Association of Machinists.

Jim is survived by his wife Marilyn and his children Randy, Roger, and Karen. He is also survived by his sister Helen Etter of Kent, WA, sister in law Barbara Rydberg of Lopez Island, WA, brother in law Jim Burke of Lyman, WA and brother in law Terry Henson of Arizona and sister in law Jean Henson of Mount Vernon. Jim was preceded in death by his parents Thomas and Violet Valentine, brother and sister in law Dale and Ivogene Ogle, brother in laws Gordon Rydberg, Frank Etter and LaDon Henson, brother and sister in law Tom and Joann Valentine, and sister Rita Burke.

Jim enjoyed life to the fullest and he will be greatly missed. He was quite a guy!

In lieu of flowers, Jim requested donations be made to Hospice of the Northwest.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, November 30, 2017 at 11:00am at Hawthorne Funeral Home and Memorial Park, Mount Vernon.

Arrangements are under the care of Hawthorne Funeral Home, Mount Vernon, WA.