Donald J. Valz

Colonel Donald Joseph Valz, US Army retired, of Lago Vista, passed away peacefully at Hospice Austin’s Christopher House on Sunday morning, June 10, 2007 due to pancreatic cancer. In his last days, he was cared for by his children, grandchildren, and cousins from Italy. Son of Dino Gris Valz and Erma Trentini Valz, Donald was born in Nashua, New Hampshire on September 10, 1933. He spent his childhood in Andover, Massachusetts, graduating from Punchard High School in 1951, and attended Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut. Donald enlisted in the United States Army in March 1955 and graduated Officer Candidate School and the Ranger Course. Donald married Patricia Anne Humphrey, RN, of Marblehead, Massachusetts on May 29, 1955. Donald served his country as a tank commander and staff officer for over 27 years with two tours of Vietnam, command of a tank battalion, and four years as Chief of Staff, Allied Staff Berlin. Donald completed his Bachelors degree at the University of Nebraska and earned a Masters in International Relations at George Washington University. Donald and Patricia settled in Lago Vista in 1984. They were founding members and active parishioners of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church. Donald also served St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church in Salado. Always fit and athletic, Donald was a dedicated golfer and truly enjoyed the friendship of his fellow players in Lago Vista and Salado. He also enjoyed his participation in the Hill Country Singers, especially their recent performance at the Capitol Rotunda. Donald was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Patricia, who died of cancer in 1997, as well as by his parents, his sister Paula, his aunt and uncle, Tina and Hugo Trentini of New Hampshire, his aunt Eva Martiner of Montesinaro, Italy, and his cousin Dick Trentini of California. He is survived by his children: Leslie Carruth and her children John Allen, Katharine, Peter, and Michael of Austin; Kimberly Reath and her husband Thomas of Fallbrook, California; and Jeffrey Valz and his children Derek and Chelsea of Dallas; and by his cousins: Lino, Lina Pia, Silvio, Paola, Manuele, Clelia, Alessio, and Italo Martiner of Montesinaro, Italy; and Bill, Linda, and Serena Trentini of New Brunswick, Canada; and Patricia’s brother, Bruce Humphrey, his wife Susan, and their children of Georgia. On Saturday, June 16 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Lago Vista, the Right Reverend Claude Payne and the Reverend Dale Chrisman will celebrate a service of Thanksgiving in memory of Donald J. Valz. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions may be made in memory of Donald and Patricia to Hospice Austin, in grateful appreciation of their care over the last two weeks and in 1997.