VALENTINE, JOHN D died August 31, 2002 at the age of 49. He is married to Trudy Busch Valentine, the daughter of Trudy Buholzer Busch and the late August A. Busch, Jr. John and Trudy have six children, Matthew, Blake, August, Christina, John and Stephen. John is also survived by his father, Stephen Peter Valentine III and his stepmother, Christine Valentine who reside in Birney, Montana; his mother, Olga Van Wagoner Valentine who resides in Brooklyn Heights, New York, and John's loving sisters and brothers, Cary, Sarah, Steph and Sam. An outstanding student, John attended the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California where he played college baseball and graduated summa cum laude. After working towards a Masters Degree at New York University he came to the St. Louis University School of Law where he also graduated with honors in 1978, Order of the Woolsack. Regarded by many as one of the finest estate planning lawyers in the state of Missouri, Jonn was a partner in the firm of Lewis, Rice and Fingersh, L.L.C., where he served his clients with integrity and distinction for nearly 25 years. In his all too short career, he received many honors including Induction as a Fellow of The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel as well as annual recognition by the national publication 'Best Lawyers in America.' Equally notable was his deep commitment to improvement of the legal profession. John devoted himself tirelessly to writing, lecturing and teaching in his field for such groups as the Metropolitan Bar Association of St. Louis, Missouri Bar, St. Louis University as well as other institutions. John's efforts on behalf of others went beyond his clients and profession. He gave countless hours to various civic, educational and charitable pursuits serving on the Board of Directors of the Churchill School, Fontbonne College, St. Louis Children's Hospital, The Magic House, Lay Advisory Committee of St. Mary's Hospital, St. Louis University Bequest and Gift Council, the National Multiple Sclerosis Gateway Chapter and the Campbell House Museum as well as the Ladue Zoning and Planning Commission. A lover of baseball, John was delighted to have formerly served on the Board of the St. Louis Baseball Cardinals. Anyone who knew John realized, however, that his greatest love was his family. John and Trudy devoted themselves to each other and their six children. An avid outdoorsman, expert skier and world traveler, John had a passion for life which he selflessly shared with everyone he met, but especially with Trudy and their children. They were all each other's Valentines. His happiest times were spent at their family farm, appropriately called Heart Six Ranch, where his remains will be scattered over the grounds he loved so much. Family and friends will deeply miss his love, spirit and counsel. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at St. Francis Xavier (College) Church, Grand at Lindell Blvd., St. Louis on Wednesday, Sept. 4 at 2 pm. No Visitation. In lieu of flowers, please make memorials to the Father Reinert Fund for the Busch Center, c/o Father Dennis Daly at St. Louis University, 221 N. Grand, St. Louis, MO 63103.

Published in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch September 4, 2002.