Vail Daily obituary: Gary Valentine, 1937-2014
Garrison (Gary) Valentine, a world traveler and longtime local of the Vail Valley, lost his battle to dementia on July 9 in Sydney, Australia.
Gary was born in San Antonio on Dec. 6, 1937. He graduated from the University of Texas and was an avid football player by day and singer by night. Gary had a passion for travel and was always looking for his next adventure. He spent many years as a businessman and entrepreneur in Mexico City, and in 1977, he and his wife, Rosslyn, found their little piece of paradise called Vail. They instantly fell in love with the valley, where he was an excellent skier, biker, hiker and tennis player.
In 1995, he and Rosslyn found a new venture and moved to Sydney, Australia, part time. While there he wrote “The Golden Kangaroo,” an Australian children’s Christmas story which became a best seller in 1995. Gary was an extremely talented man with an unforgettable voice. In 2012, he recorded an album of his favorite songs called “Timeless.”
Gary’s exceptional talents, unmatched wit and passion for life will be truly missed by many. Gary is survived by his loving wife, Rosslyn; his four children, Linda, Scott, Jaxon and Karina; and five grandchildren.
Memorial contributions can be made in memory of Garrison Valentine to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America by visiting http://www.alzfdn.org or calling 866-232-8484
