At 94, our family Patriarch, was born May 3, 1922 in Trinidad, Colorado, and with his daughters beside him, crossed over September 20, 2016 in Durango, Colorado to continue his journey with Jesus.
Mike was preceded in death by his parents Eugene Joseph Valentine and Clara Berger Valentine, his siblings Peter Valentine and Clara Jean Valentine, and his oldest daughter Joyce Lee Valentine. Mike is survived by his daughters Valerie Valentine, Laurel Valentine and Myshelle Valentine; grandchildren Christine Byers, Leslie Conway and husband Thomas, Autumn Stephenson Rios and husband Daniel, Quinn Stephenson and Brian Stacy; great grandchildren Felicia Mora, Estevan Mora, Dominic Conway, Aiden Conway, Amorese Rios and Zovae Rios.
Mike graduated from Trinidad, Colorado, high school in 1940 and then continued his studies in archaeology at the University of New Mexico. During World War II Mike enlisted in the Marine Corps and honorably served in "L" Battery, Second Marine Division. Mike received two Purple Hearts and other military awards and valiantly fought in Tarawa atoll in 1943. In 1945, in Chicago, Mike married a beautiful lady, Lynn Kolin, the Mother of his children. Mike brought his new bride back to his home town of Trinidad, Colorado, where he began his life long career in real estate in Trinidad, Denver, Santa Fe and Durango. Mike and Lynn divorced in 1978. Mike was the co-developer of the Highland Park Subdivision in Durango with many other successful real estate accomplishments. Mike also donated property to the City of Durango, and in appreciation, the City of Durango named "Valentine Drive" after him. While always having an interest in real estate, Mike worked many jobs. Mike also had successful careers with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and as Chamber of Commerce Manager for Durango, Colorado and Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Mike was an outdoorsman, a clean shot, and he loved and respected nature. Some of Mike's beloved memories are of course his family, the peaceful solitude of being alone in the great outdoors, and of hunting and fishing with family and friends and enjoying a meal together. Mike has always been the spiritual warrior for his family and in love and faith always accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior. "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith (2 Timothy, 4:7)." These few words cannot begin to tell the story of the life of this amazing man...."We Love You Dad, We Love You Grandpa, We Will Always Be Together, For Forever and Eternity." Services and a Celebration Of Life will be held at Durango's Cowboy Church located at 2601 Junction Street (across from Miller Junior High) on Saturday, November 5, 2016 at 12:00 noon with a reception to follow.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Pine River Times on Oct. 20, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Henry Valentine

11 Entries

May 30, 2018

Youre a good man Miike and youve been a great friend. Youll be missed by many of us and Durango, our prayers and thoughts and love go out to your family. God bless.

"Snooks" Evelyn Haught-Cimino

August 3, 2017

Henry was a great man. He had many friend and a loving family. He was a great outdoorsman. He Loved to hunt. He come to Weston,Colorado every year for hunting season and visited with our family. He will be missed by his family and friends. God Bless You

LAUREL VALENTINE

November 1, 2016

I MISS YOU DAD......

LAUREL VALENTINE

November 1, 2016

I MISS YOU DAD.....

Christine April Byers

October 31, 2016

No words GPA Mike;!;;

Christine Byers

October 31, 2016

Grandpa....my first message is not all I had to say. I was the first grandchild. I was truly spoiled by you and my grandma Lynn. We always went back...I felt safe there. You took us for ice cream n wouldn't even tell mom. And of course the dog had to sing....NAKIO LOVES US LOL. NO MIC IDK HOW U SPELLED IT. WE HAD A HORNY TOAD FAMILY IN THE FRONT YARD. YOU TAUGHT ME SO MUCH ABOUT NATURE YOU USED TO CALL BIRDS RIGHT TO US. DEER WOULD EAT FROM YOUR HANDS. YOU WOULD EVEN FEED A BEAR LIKE U WERE GRIZZLY ADAM'S OR SOMETHIN. We would hunt for arrowhead's n we ALWAYS found 'em !!!!!! ONLY YOU KNOW........ YOU ALWAYS TOOK ME HOME!!! A TRILLION SAYINGS..BIRDS OF A FEATHER, FLOCK TOGETHER. A FISH WOULDN'T GET CAUGHT IF IT DOESN'T OPEN THEIR MOUTH. SEE NO EVIL..HEAR NO EVIL....SPEAK NO EVIL. WHEN GRANDMA DIED OUR FAMILY WAS NEVER THE SAME,KNOW THAT YOUR GONE THE VALENTINE NAME CANT LIVE ON. THANK YOU SIR FOR BEING THE TOUGH MARINE YOU WERE!! WHORAA;! THANKS FOR ACCEPTING me when I was little.2nd grade u pulled me out of class to show me this HUGE BIG DEAR U HAD SHOT! U WERE SO PROUD, I WAS A LITTLE FREAKED OUT LOL. I LOVE YOU AND ALWAYS REMEMBER THE TIME WE SPENT WHEN I WAS YOUNG. And IT WAS JUST YOU AND ME. MAY GOD BLESS YOU. ALWAYS CHRISTINE APRIL BYERS.

Myshelle Valentine

October 31, 2016

Dad, I miss you. I feel empty...my life is changed forever without you, you have always been "my rock." YOU are an amazing Dad and my best friend. I want the world to know how much I Love You, how honored, blessed and proud I am to be your daughter. I will wait for you, I will listen to hear your voice....we will always and forever be together Dad, forever. "I LOVE YOU". Your youngest daughter, Myshelle.

Debra Foster

October 25, 2016

I want to express my condolences to the family. I also want you to know that your Dad saved my life. As a young woman growing up in Durango and getting out of a violent, abusive relationship, he took a chance on me. Your Dad rented me an apartment and forever changed my life. He knew that I was young had no money, a job at the hospital and a promise that I would pay him back. He made sure that I was safe. I will never forget what he did for me. Your dad was an amazing man, I've thought of him over the last 24 years. I thank God so many times for him and when I share my story with other women that are in the same situation I was in, I tell them about Mr. Valentine... he was an angel. I have so much love and respect for him. He was truly a gentleman. I will never forget him. Thank you for letting me tell my story. Sincerely, Debra

Christine Byers

October 24, 2016

I love you so very much

Christine Byers

October 24, 2016

I live you GPA Mike. You were so much fun when I was little; our hirny toad's; I will miss you,wise man. Your first grandchild Christine April Byers

Autumn Stephenson Rios

October 24, 2016

Beloved Family of mine,
As I read this and think of Grandpa I feel so grateful to be a part of this amazing man. To have been taught about God and life in his many wise and funny quotes. As I read all of our names I want you to know I love each of you so very much. I feel so grateful in my heart, so honored and with so much love for Grandpa. He was a part of creating us all. We now represent him in the world.

Holy Spirit, may you surround us all in love and peace. Thank you for the long good life my grandfather had and the opportuntity to have him as a guide.
Dear Jesus, May our family Patriarch rest in peace and I pray we unite again in Heaven. Amen

We are lucky, Valentine Family! I am sorry for all of our loss. I know that there is a new spiritual relationship with him we will invest in that will be as beautiful and good as the one we had. Remember, love knows no boundaries between heaven and earth!!!!!

I love you all
XOXO
~Autumn

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