David L. Valentine

VALENTINE David L. Valentine was born on April 24, 1953, in San Antonio, Texas. David died unexpectedly of a heart attack on the morning of Friday, November 21st while playing racquet ball. In 1970, at the age of 17, David joined the United States Army. He was a Staff Sergeant (E-6) at the time of his honorable discharge in 1976. While stationed in Germany, he met Ingrid and the two married in 1973. Ingrid and David shared the 35 ensuing years by being the others constant companion in all things. In 1974, the two had a daughter, Samantha, who was the apple of their eyes. David returned to Jacksonville in 1976 and worked in the insurance field, first as an agent for Prudential, then for Crews Bonding, and in 1984 David and Ingrid established their own insurance/bonding company, now David Valentine Bail Bonds, Inc. In addition to the insurance/surety business, David owned other businesses, including an automobile dealership, a tax preparation service, a service of process business and a GPS monitoring service. David was the classic definition of an entrepreneur. David was a business leader, locally and statewide. He served several terms as President of the Florida Surety Agents Association. He also served as President of the Jacksonville Surety Association, and he was an instructor for Surety Agent qualification classes for the Florida Department of Insurance. David's tireless leadership in the bonding industry, and his own integrity, helped establish credibility and legitimacy for the industry. In addition to his professional leadership, David was also a community leader, serving on the Jacksonville Community Counsel, Inc., on the Board of Governors of University Club of Jacksonville, as a Treasurer for Mental Health America of Northeast Florida, and on The Florida Bar Local Grievance Committee “C.” David was also a member of Meninak (a charitable association). Just last month, David was appointed by Governor Crist to serve on the Fourth Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission. David gave selflessly of his time “ringing the bell” and collecting money for the Salvation Army, and he worked tirelessly for the underprivileged and mentally ill. When David recently moved his business downtown, he began serving coffee to the homeless every morning. Never one to rest on his laurels, in 2004 David graduated cum laude from Jacksonville University, with a Bachelors in Business Administration, and at the time of his death he was a month shy of receiving his Masters in Criminal Justice, cum laude. As impressive as David's professional and community resume were, these public accomplishments were eclipsed only by his private accomplishments. He enjoyed a quintessentially happy marriage with his wife, Ingrid, for 35 years, and he enjoyed the love and sheer admiration of his daughter, Samantha. David could not have been more proud of Ingrid, and her accomplishments in her own right in the surety business, and her recent attainment of U.S. citizenship, or of his daughter, Samantha, upon her recent graduation from Florida Coastal School of Law and admission to the Bar. In addition to being a devoted family man, he was the perfect example of a true friend, being generous to a fault, kind and big hearted, honest and dependable, all of which was wrapped up with a sly and wicked wit and a great sense of fun. David loved to travel, he was an avid golfer, and he enjoyed boating and hunting. David spent his life making and maintaining friendships with people from all walks of life, and he never hesitated to spend time with, for and on his friends. It was always a battle to pay the check for lunch or dinner when David was around. David was filled with a zest for life and an enduring love of and faith in people. Although his life was cut short while he was in his prime and he still had many plans for his future, he died happy and loved. His was a life well lived. David is survived by his: loving wife of 35 years, Ingrid Valentine (Jacksonville); daughter, Samantha Valentine Ellis (and her husband Mark Ellis) (Jacksonville); granddaughters, Samantha and Brianna Ellis (Jacksonville); mother, Rosa Engel (Jacksonville); brothers, Otto Engel (wife Katherine) and Karl Engel (wife Tambra) (both of Jacksonville); sister, Darlane Valentine (Jacksonville); and nephews Karl Engel, II (Jacksonville), and Jason Matthias (Michigan). Viewing: Tuesday, November 25, 2008, at 6:00 p.m. Services: Wednesday, November 26, 2008, at 11:00 a.m. Both at Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home, 4115 Hendricks Avenue, Jacksonville, Florida 32202. In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to the charity of your choice. Please Sign the Guestbook @ Jacksonville.com