Austin Valentine

Austin Valentine, Sr., 77, of Paducah, Kentucky died in the early morning hours of Monday, July 13, 2026, at the Ray and Kay Eckstein Hospice Care Center.

Austin was born on May 15, 1949, in Metropolis, Illinois, to the late Simeon “Sim” and Ruth (Ham) Valentine.

After the passing of both of his biological parents, Austin, who was 6 years old at the time, was adopted by the late James Buchanan and Myrtle (Bryan) Valentine of Elkhart, Indiana.

Austin was preceded in death by his birth parents; adopted parents; sisters, Ruth (William) Pitts and Henrietta Schultz; brothers, Henry Valentine, Charles Valentine, Virgil Valentine and James L. (Valentine) Schultz.

Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Linda Lee (Croft) Valentine; sons, Austin (Cari) Valentine, Jr. and James Adam (Angie) Valentine; grandsons, Austin Michael Valentine, David James Valentine and Matthew Russell Valentine; sisters, Dollie (Deon) Osman and Alice (Bobbie) Randolph; one brother, Albert Valentine and numerous nieces and nephews.

Services are scheduled for 1 PM Saturday July 18, 2026, at Gilbert Funeral Home in Marion, KY with interment in Mapleview Cemetery. The family will receive visitors from 11 AM until service time Saturday at the funeral home.

A webcast of the service will be available at www.gilbertfunerals.com.