James Robert Valentine, 42, of Vidor, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, October 29, 2009. A 1985 graduate of Bridge City High School, James enjoyed his time with a local Ham Operator Club, where he learned Morse Code. He enjoyed going to the rallies, fishing, boating and helping others in need. Losing his eye sight never interfered with his joy of working on cars and trucks.

His father, Hebert Valentine; sister, Jeannie Lynn Valentine; and grandparents, Jasper and Annie Valentine, Roy and Ruth Odle, and Iris and Eleanor Champagne preceded him in death.

James is survived by his mother, Darleene Champagne and her husband, James Champagne of Beaumont; brother, Bryan Watson of Beaumont; step-mother, Ramona Scott of Bridge City; step-sisters, Robin Thibodeaux of Winnie, and Misty Thurmin and her husband Jimmy of Beaumont; aunts, Clara Andree and her husband Rick of Gaylord, Michigan, Janice Odle of Vidor, Clara Johnson of Stark, Louisiana, Louise Jeanis of Vidor, Geraldine Nelson and her husband Jerry of Beaumont, and Beauliah Sumner of Jenks, Oklahoma; uncles, Jeff Champagne of Nederland, Steve Rivers of Lumberton, Danny Odle and his wife Marjie of Camry, Indiana and David Demney and his wife Lile of Halletsville, Texas; and the love of his life, Gail Schneider of Vidor.

A graveside service will be 10:00 a.m., Monday, November 2, 2009, at Forest Lawn Memorial Park under the direction of Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin, Beaumont. A gathering of his friends and family will be from 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m., Sunday, November 1, 2009, at the mortuary.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 1131, Fairfax, Virginia 22038; or American Kidney Foundation, 6110 Executive Boulevard, Suite 1010, Rockville, Maryland 20852.