Arthur Edward Valentine, Jr., 79, of West Monroe was born on October 25, 1941 in Boyce, Louisiana and passed away on November 5, 2020. Visitation will be held on Saturday, November 7, 2020 at 12:00 P.M. until the time of the service at 2:00 P.M. at First Baptist Church of West Monroe. The graveside service will follow at Roselawn Memorial Gardens under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Homes. Officiating will be Rev. Michael Wood and Dr. Mark Fenn.
Edward graduated from Boyce High School in 1959 and attended Northwestern State University. He served in the U.S. Army from 1964-1966 before marrying Patricia White, his wife of 53 years. He and Pat enjoyed the first years of their marriage as residents of Shreveport before moving to the West Monroe area in 1970. Edward returned to college later in life and graduated from Northeast Louisiana University in 1989 with a degree in business. His career spanned from years at Ford, Bacon, & Davis, Inc. to retirement as a Horace Mann Insurance agent. A faithful member of Cypress Street Church of God and then First West, he served as a trustee, usher, life group director, VBS volunteer, and deacon. True to his love of sports as well as his devotion to his children, Edward spent many years coaching Dixie Youth baseball and watching his boys and grandchildren participate in various sports. Cheering on the West Monroe Rebels, as well as his beloved Louisiana Tech Bulldogs, were just a few of his favorite pastimes. Most recently, Edward was serving as president of the Ouachita Parish Fire Department Citizen Advisory Committee.
Edward was preceded in death by his parents Arthur and Audie Valentine. He is survived by his wife Patricia White Valentine; sons Mark Valentine and his wife Christy of Sulphur, LA, and Michael Valentine and his wife Rachel of Benton, LA; grandchildren Conner, Collyn, and Carson Valentine of Sulphur, and Mary Frances and Charles Valentine of Benton.
Out of an abundance of caution, masks are recommended and social distancing will be practiced at the visitation and services.
Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Louisiana Tech University College of Education.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com