Longtime Sanford resident James “Jim” Holt Valentine, 78, passed away at the Conejos County Hospital on August 13, 2018. Jim was born on June 29, 1940, in Alamosa, Colorado to Lyle and Doris Valentine. He was married and sealed for time and all eternity to the love of his life, Joyce Marie Davis on September 22, 1967, in the Mesa, Arizona Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They would be celebrating fifty-one years of marriage this coming September.

Jim was employed by the Church Educational System of the LDS church. Jim loved teaching. He spent most of his life teaching seminary, institute and supervising seminary classes throughout the San Luis Valley as well as parts of New Mexico and Arizona. He spent three years teaching seminary on the Navajo reservation and fell in love with the people and culture there.

Some of his hobbies included fishing, gardening, reading, and dancing. He was an Eagle Scout and also served as a Scoutmaster. He enjoyed hiking with the Boy Scouts.

Jim was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Throughout his life, he held many callings within the church. He was always willing to give of his time, and knowledge to the people he so clearly loved.

Jim is survived by his loving wife, Joyce Marie Valentine of the family home in Sanford, Colorado; his children: Lisa Larsen, of Sanford, Colorado, Stephen (Becky) Valentine of West Virginia, Laurie (Larry) Engelhardt of Arizona, Christy (Tommy) Keys of Arizona, Carla (Andrew) Miller of Sanford, Colorado, and Cathy (Garth) McGinnis of Manassa, Colorado; his grandchildren: Dusty Larsen, Tory Larsen, Sage Parsons, Guy Larsen, Lars Valentine, Eva Valentine, Amelia Valentine, Tirsa Engelhardt, Bryony Engelhardt, Sierra Engelhardt, Tevis Engelhardt, Risten Engelhardt, Kyle Miller, Kaitlyn Miller, Bethany Miller, Hannah Miller, Keaden McGinnis, and Karder McGinnis; his great-grandchildren: Trinady Larsen, Ryker Larsen, and Mila Larsen; his siblings: Dennis Valentine of Sanford, Colorado, Kirt (Cynthia) Valentine of Sanford, Colorado, Craig (Shirley) Valentine of Aurora, Colorado, Scott (Linda) Valentine of Greeley, Colorado, and Lanae Valentine of Utah; as well as numerous other extended family members and close friends whom Jim dearly loved.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lyle and Doris Valentine, as well as his sister, LaWana Valentine.
A visitation will be held on Saturday, August 18, 2018, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Sanford, Colorado from 10:00 A.M. to 10:45 A.M. A funeral service will follow the visitation at 11:00 A.M. also at the church in Sanford. Interment will follow services at the Sanford Cemetery.

Rogers Family Mortuary of Manassa is in care of arrangements. If you would like to leave online condolences or tributes for the family please visit Jim’s obituary at www.RogersFunerals.com

In lieu of flowers, please make a tribute donation to a Parkinson’s research center of your choice.

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