Aubrey Valentine

Aubrey Jackson Valentine, 89, of Lubbock, formerly of Hillsboro, died Wednesday, October 8, 2008, in Lubbock. Mr. Valentine was born August 3, 1919 in Martins Mills, Texas the son of Willie Bruce and Clemmie Lillian Valentine. He had two brothers, Arless Wayne and James Willie, and a sister, Mabel. The family moved from Martins Mills to West, TX in 1924. He attended school there, graduating from West High School in May 1937. He served in the U. S. Navy from November 6, 1940 to January 1947. He was a survivor of the Pearl Harbor attack on December 7, 1941, stationed on the USS Oklahoma. On December 10, 1941, he was transferred for duty to the USS Helena. This ship was then sent to San Francisco for repairs. He attended the First Baptist Church there and met his future wife, Jennie Lindquist. When repairs were completed to the ship, it was sent back to the Pacific area of conflict and eventually was hit on July 6, 1943 and the personnel had to abandon ship. At great risk, one of the other ships rescued many of the survivors and Val was one of them. Eventually he got back to the states on August 15 and contacted Jennie. Within a week plans were completed for them to be married on August 22, 1943. Lots of events, large and small, have transpired these past 65 years. Three children were added to this union, Marie, John, and Larry. He retired as office manager from Tucker Lumber Company in Hillsboro after 46 years and was a member and deacon of First Baptist Church in Hillsboro. Preceding him in death were his parents; brother, Arless; sister, Mabel; and son-in-law, Michael Allen, who went to be with the Lord on August 4, 2002. Survivors include his wife Jennie Valentine; children, Marie Allen, John Valentine and wife, Pat, and Larry Valentine and wife, Karen; brother, James Valentine and wife, Pat; grandchildren, Vanessa Garrett and husband, Alex, Rachel Valentine, Ryan Valentine and wife, Kristie, Jill Hill and husband, Joe, and Jeremy Valentine and wife, Amy; great-grandchildren, Peyton, Sidney, and Reagan Garrett, Shane and Sadie Valentine, Jaxson and Ryah Valentine, and Kate Valentine. In lieu of flowers, please make memorials to First Baptist Church, P. O. Box 271, Hillsboro, TX 76645.