Michael Joseph Valiant

Michael Joseph Valiant, 81, was born March 5, 1936 in Portland, Oregon, the son of Margaret and June Valiant. The eldest of three children, he is survived by his sister Mary (David) Lohmann and preceded in death by brother June G. Valiant.

The family moved to Denver where Mike attended Saint Dominic’s grade school and graduated from Holy Family High School in 1954. Upon graduation, Mike attended Regis College and joined the Colorado Air National Guard in 1954. He worked as an air technician at Buckley field, eventually becoming master sergeant in the Air National Guard, retiring in 1978.

While at Buckley, the entire Air National Guard was deployed for a tour in Phan Rang, Vietnam between 1968 and 1969. He was always proud of his service in the Guard and especially proud of the lifelong friends he made while serving. The A7-D he managed is now on display at Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum in Denver.

Mike and Betty were married August 5, 1961 in Westminster. They are parents of Laurie (Alan) Asmussen of Gypsum, CO, and Michael (Lisa) of Park City, UT; granddaughters Brooke and Megan of Grand Junction, CO and step-granddaughters Alex and Shannen Springer of Park City, UT. To the family, he was known as “Bubbs” and to many friends, “Clark” (Griswold).

In his childhood, Mike loved spending the summers at his grandparents 40-bedroom Alhambra Hot Sulphur Springs Resort outside of Helena, Montana.

As an adult, Mike shared his love of airplanes and jets with his friends and family. He also enjoyed camping, golf, dogs and cats of any breed and size, squirrels, reading and spending time with his granddaughters. His quick wit and sense of humor always lit up a crowd, and one of his best gifts was putting a smile on anyone’s face.

Rosary Prayers will be said at 10:30 am, followed by the Funeral Mass at 11:00 am on Thursday, October 19, 2017 at St. Mark Catholic Church, 3141 W. 96th Avenue, Westminster, CO. 80031 Graveside inurnment will follow at Fort Logan National Cemetery, Denver, CO

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to the Alzheimer’s Association, Colorado Chapter or to the St. Mark Catholic Church Building Fund, Westminster, CO.