Valentino, Anthony John "Tony"

Anthony John "Tony" Valentino, 83, died February 4, 2007, 
at the home of his dear friends, following a courageous 
battle with cancer. Services are scheduled for 2 p.m. 
Wednesday, February 7, 2007, in the First United Methodist 
Church in Longview, with Dr. Pat Sparks and the Reverend 
Jerry Turner officiating. A military graveside service will 
be held at Memory Park Cemetery, following the services. 
Tony was born April 25, 1923, in Chicago, Illinois, to John 
and Frances Valentino, who preceded him in death. Tony 
served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1942-1951; he served 
with the 2nd Brigade during World War II in the Pacific 
Theater and in Korea. Gunny Sgt. Valentino was an ordnance 
supply chief and a lineman. On October 21, 1943, he was 
united in marriage to PFC Margery Hunt in Washington, D.C. 
Before Tony's arrival in Longview in January of 1953, Tony 
owned and operated a sporting goods business in El Dorado, 
Arkansas. With his first location at Avalon and Green, he 
later opened Tony's Sporting Goods on Mobberly Avenue. He 
served this community for more than 50 years, and continued 
to provide merchandise at Longview's Trade Days weekend 
years after closing his store. Tony was an active member of 
the First United Methodist Church. He was a founding member 
of the Men's Bible Class and member of the Men's Wednesday 
Morning Prayer Breakfast. He loved God, U.S. Marines and 
friends being a caregiver to all he could. As a local U.S. 
Marine chaplain, he was always interested in helping other 
people and doing community service; transporting vets to 
appointments in Shreveport, La.; working on Toys for Tots, 
and numerous other volunteer organizations, such as Meals 
on Wheels. Mr. Valentino was preceded in death by his wife, 
Margery Valentino; his parents; two brothers; and one sister. 
Mr. Valentino is survived by his niece, Joanne Ebert of San 
Antonio; niece, Karen Valentino of Chicago, Illinois; and 
his sweet friend, Belle Spear of Longview. He is also 
survived by numerous "cousins" and friends throughout 
Longview and East Texas. Memorial contributions may be made 
to the First United Methodist Church, Toys for Tots or to a 
charity of choice. The family will receive friends from 6-8 
p.m. this evening, February 6, 2007, at the funeral home. A 
memorial guestbook may be signed online at www.raderfh.com.

Published in the Longview News-Journal on 2/6/2007.