John Termini "Jack" Valenti Jr.

1938 - 2021

John "Jack" Termini Valenti Jr.

Jan. 7, 1938 - Sept. 28, 2021

Jack Valenti, age 83, passed away at his home in Richmond, Ky. on Sept. 28, 2021. Born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, he was the son of the late Dr. John and Viola Jones Valenti.

Jack graduated from Wyoming Seminary in 1955, where he was co-captain of the varsity basketball team. He then attended Dickinson College where he continued to play basketball on the varsity team, was a member of the Theta Chi fraternity and graduated with a major in economics, minor in geology, in 1959. Jack served in the US Navy from July 1961 until June 1965. Jack had a distinguished 37-year business career, serving IBM in many managerial capacities in New York City, Boston, Buffalo and Montvale, N.J., before moving to Lexington, Ky. to finish his career with Lexmark International.

Jack was an accomplished musician, playing in several bands with his son and friends, and, most recently, with the Mt. Zion Christian Church. He was never shy about playing the piano or guitar whenever the situation presented itself. Jack also loved to play tennis, especially tournaments, where he challenged many accomplished players with his shot placement and lobs. Jack participated in the John Newcombe Tennis Fantasies camps for approximately 28 years, where he received an MVP award in 1992 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame. After he retired from Lexmark, Jack shared his love for tennis with the community by running the Fayette County Parks & Recreation's summer tennis programs for several years. He also enjoyed working at Rupp Arena as a security guard, where he continued to develop many close friendships. Jack was a member of the Free Masons of Pennsylvania. Jack will be remembered most by his family and friends for his unique sense of humor, the importance he placed on relationships, and his positive, supportive, and loving influence.

Jack is survived by his wife Tricia, along with her daughter Hannah and her grandson Blake. Jack is also survived by his son John Valenti, his wife Annie, and their two daughters, Nina and Dani; daughter Tracy Lagalante, her husband Anthony, and their three sons Zachary, Luke and Ayden. He is also survived by his sister Carol Valenti and her spouse Lois Schlachter and his sister-in-law, Sandy Valenti. Also surviving are Jack's niece Kim Mericle, her husband Rob, and their children Kelly, Katie, Kristen and Robbie and his nephew Scott Elinsky and his wife Lori. Jack was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Clark Valenti.

A celebration of life service will be held at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice Care Plus, via phone 859-986-1500 / 1-800-806-5492 or mailed to 208 Kidd Drive, Berea, KY 40403.