Dr. Owen Seymour Valentine Jr's Obituary
Dr. Owen Seymour Valentine, Jr. was born in Kansas City, Missouri on June 6, 1935 to Owen Seymour Valentine, Sr. and Gertrude Coleman Valentine. He was one of six siblings. After attending Kansas City public schools, he attended Union College before graduating from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
On August 1, 1958, Owen was inducted into the United States Army. He was stationed at Fort Sam Houston, “Home of the Combat Medic,” in San Antonio, Texas where he served as a Clinical Psychology Specialist. This began his interest in Psychiatry. He was granted an honorable discharge from active military service in 1960 followed by four years in the United States Army Reserve (Standby).
Following his military service, he joined his brother Jimmy and sister Marcheta in San Diego, California where he would say, “I went for a visit, and never left!” He was often heard to say, with a giggle, “I was born in Kansas City, but I grew up in California.” His lifelong and dear friend, Gloria Bedney, who he called his “big sister,” was married to Donald Bedney, Sr. After working a short while in San Diego, Owen and Donald
attended medical school together. Owen earned his Medical Doctor degree from Stanford University School of Medicine in Stanford, California, followed by a Residency in Psychiatry, also at Stanford.
He fell in love with the northern California/San Francisco-Bay Area, so he settled down in Los Gatos,
California for the next 43+ years.
Owen opened his Psychiatry private practice with offices in Palo Alto and San Jose and worked there for
many years. He also worked for Kaiser-Permanente in San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties. He often said
he loved his work and thought of his patients as his children, and so had a very busy life. He was loved by
his many patients as evidenced by the beautiful letters they wrote expressing their gratitude for his kindness, even long after his retirement from private practice.
Owen was a social being who could be seen “cutting a rug” at family weddings and other events. He was
well-known to be a connoisseur of jazz music. He annually attended the Monterey Jazz Festival with his
group of friends and fellow jazz enthusiasts. He was a high-end audiophile and had a diverse collection of
well-known jazz greats, such as Miles Davis, Billy Eckstein, Thelonious Monk, Sarah Vaughn,
Ella Fitzgerald, and Louis Armstrong, just to name a few. One of his favorite songs was "So What" from
Miles Davis' album Kind of Blue. He attributed his love of music to his father, Owen Sr., when the swing
bands and jazz clubs were popular in Kansas City, Missouri. Owen Sr. managed bands and booked local
jazz and dance productions and other events. In his later years, Owen Jr’s love of music expanded. He
discovered the world-renowned Aeolians of Oakwood University, whom he could (and did) listen to for
hours. His favorite song by The Aeolians was, “Take It to the Lord in Prayer.” Owen enjoyed traveling
to far-flung places such as Egypt, Russia, Paris, and Hawaii, and he took hundreds of pictures. He
would say he planned to settle down “one day” and relive his travels through his pictures, but he never
did.
He was a phenomenally positive person, never giving up, and always looking forward to “living to be
100,” like his mother (101) and his dad (90). Owen never lost his verve for life, in spite of his many
health challenges. He faced each challenge with a positive attitude. When asked if he wanted to pursue
another course of treatment, his answer was always, “Why Not?”. “Why not?” was always his retort, his
mantra and credo of life- an inspiring example for all those around him.
Owen joined his brother Maurice Valentine, Sr.’s branch of the Valentine family tree, when he moved to Huntsville, Alabama. There, he was affectionately known as “Unca O-win” by his now 3-year-old great-great
nephew “EJ,” and “Uncle Owen” or “UO” to everyone else! He loved EJ, often calling him “little Owen.” He had endless fun watching EJ’s antics on video clips. He said they ought to make an EJ television show.
“He’s got great spirit, and a great smile.” Though in his wheelchair, UO looked forward to the many dinners, holidays, and birthday celebrations he attended, enjoying the ambiance and the attention.
He was wonderfully and lovingly cared for by his caregivers, Melchor Altares, Health Aide, in Los Gatos, California, and Sonya Okeleke, CNA, in Huntsville, Alabama. Sonya had just the right amount of sass, push, no-nonsense, and fun for Owen. He loved to say, “I like to have fun!”
He was spoiled to no end, with attention, love, and affection by the myriad of nursing staff, caregivers, physical therapists, receptionists, and even custodial staff. All of them, like his patients, were a part of his large extended “family.” Owen’s distinctive green eyes and great smile were his calling card, garnering plenty of female attention wherever he went. It was at once, both immediate and remarkable. The many compliments he received were rewarded by even bigger, brighter smiles.
His blood family, however, was absolutely and unquestionably the most important thing to him! While acknowledging he missed his sister and brother while in Alabama, Owen set about enjoying his current life
through his famous love of jazz music, sports of all kind, especially basketball, (huge Warrior fan), television, extended family and his ever-expanding circle of friends.
In May 2021, after prolonged illnesses during the height of the Covid pandemic, Owen moved to Huntsville, Alabama with his niece Marcheta Valentine Parker and husband Walter, where he resided until his death
on Monday morning, October 21, 2024.
He was pre-deceased by his parents, Owen Seymour Valentine, Sr. and Gertrude Coleman Valentine; his elder brothers Jimmie Rudolph Valentine, MD and Maurice Romaine Valentine, Sr.; elder sister Marcheta Darlene Valentine Holness and brother-in-law Herbert Augustus Holness MD; and nephews Robert Loyal Holness, Maurice Romaine Valentine, II (Sharon), and Roderick Carlysle Holness.
Owen leaves to mourn him; his sister Rosalie Darling Valentine Rollins; brother Phillip Novarro Valentine, MD (Lydia); and sister-in-law Ida Nell Woodard Valentine. Nieces and nephews: Vernita Valentine Thompson, Yvette Holness Hunt, MD (Enacio Hunt, MD), Marcheta Valentine Parker, MD (Walter), Ronald St. Chauncey Holness, MD (Azalea), Rosita Valentine Gabriel (Garth), Lori Rollins Kelly (Eric), Linda Rollins Gooden (Jerry), Larry David Rollins (Barbara), Rueben Noel Valentine, Lonny Darryl Rollins (Desiree), Lyle Deron Rollins, and Sedona Tiari Dawn Valentine, MD; along with a host of great-nieces,
great- nephews, and friends.
A Special “Thank You”
is extended to all those who cared for Owen in his last few years, and those who took special care of him…especially during his many very challenging illnesses. It wasn’t easy, and we, his family, want to recognize and salute you. Your care was appreciated by Owen, and we will never forget the love and kindness you showed him. Thank you, thank you, thank you…and again…
Thank you!
What’s your fondest memory of Owen?
What’s a lesson you learned from Owen?
Share a story where Owen's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Owen you’ll never forget.
How did Owen make you smile?
