SGM Jose Alberto Valentin-Muñoz (retired), son of the late Felipe Valentin and Francisca Vazquez-Muñoz, was born May 1, 1946 in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico and passed from this life on September 4, 2019 at Huntsville Hospital Hospice Family Care at Redstone Village after a lengthy illness related to his exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam.
He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Gloria Sue (Estell) Valentin; children, Christopher Jose Valentin (Karla) of Des Moines, IA, Elizabeth Susann Napieralski (Joseph) of Huntsville, AL, Colonel Jose Alberto Valentin Jr. (Elaine) of Madison, AL, and Kevin Michael Valentin (Gail) of Huntsville, AL; his eight grandchildren, Angelica M. Smith, Joshua A.L. Valentin, Krystyna E. Napieralski, Nickolas A. Valentin, Hope E. Mueller, Natasha G. Napieralski, Isabella K. Valentin, Christian N. Valentin; one great grandchild Juneau A. Fereshetian; his sister, Marta Hernandez Muñoz; nephews, Dr. Jose Badillo Hernandez and Neftali Badillo Hernandez.
He was drafted into the Army during the Vietnam War and served his country for almost 31 years, retiring as a Sergeant Major. He served two tours in Vietnam as part of the 1st Infantry Division. He also served as First Sergeant and later SGM of the United States Army Marksmanship Unit and retired from service after serving with TMDE at Redstone Arsenal, AL.
Jose loved sports and he coached his children’s baseball and football teams as they were growing up. He played minor league baseball in Panama. Later he was an assistant coach for the Columbus Doughboys in Columbus, GA and Head Coach for the Rhein Main Rockets while serving in Frankfurt, Germany. After retiring from the military, he enjoyed fishing, hunting, golfing and spending time with his grandchildren.
Family will receive guests from 1:00-3:00 PM at Whitesburg Baptist Church South Campus followed by a memorial service on Sunday, September 8, 2019. Guests are invited to share refreshments with the family immediately following the memorial service. SGM Jose A. Valentin- Muñoz will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made in his memory to any veteran support charities.
