John Valenti Jr.

1938 - 2021

John "Jack" Valenti Jr.
January 7, 1938 - September 28, 2021
Richmond, Kentucky - Jack was born in Wilkes-Barre, PA, the son of the late Dr. John Sr. and Viola Jones Valenti. Jack was co-captain of the varsity basketball team and a graduate of Wyoming Seminary in 1955. He continued to play varsity basketball at Dickinson College, was a member of the Theta Chi fraternity and graduated in 1959 with a double major in Geology and Economics. Jack served in the US Navy after college. He worked for IBM in many managerial capacities in the northeast before finishing his career at Lexmark International in Lexington, KY with 37 years of service. Jack was an accomplished musician never shy about playing the piano or guitar whenever the situation presented itself. He played in several bands, most recently for Mt. Zion Christian Church. Jack also loved to play tennis. He drove many an accomplished player nuts with his shot placements and lobs. Jack participated in the John Newcombe Tennis Fantasies camps for 28 years where he received an MVP award in 1992 and was later inducted into the Hall of Fame. During retirement, Jack ran the Lexington Fayette County Parks & Recreation summer tennis program and worked at Rupp Arena as a security guard. Jack was a member of the Free Masons of Pennsylvania. Jack will be remembered by family and friends for his unique sense of humor, importance of relationships, positive, supportive and loving influence.
Jack is survived by his wife Tricia and her daughter Hannah and son Blake, Jack's son John Valenti (Annie) and daughters Nina and Dani, daughter Tracy Lagalante (Anthony) and sons Zachary, Luke and Ayden, Jack's sister Carol Valenti (Lois Schlachter) and her daughter Kim Mericle (Rob) and children Kelly, Katie, Kristen and Robert and son Scott Elinsky (Lori). His brother Clark Valenti (Sandra) preceded him in death. A celebration of life service will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to Hospice Care Plus (859 986-1500 / 800 806-5492) or mailed to 208 Kidd Drive, Berea, KY 40403.