Jim Tom Norman
Published 12:00 am Wednesday, May 31, 2000
Jim Tom Norman, 87, of Goshen, died on Sunday, May 28, 2000, at his residence.
The funeral will be held at the Chapel of Dillard Funeral Home of Troy on Wednesday, May 31, 2000, at 2 p.m., with the Rev. Billy Nutt officiating. Burial will follow at the Green Hills Cemetery with Dillard Funeral Home of Troy directing.
Survivors include his children, Carola Norman and (Wallis) Jeter of Goshen, Jim Tom and (Martha) Norman Jr., also of Goshen; a stepson, Mervin S. Norman of Goshen; grandchildren and spouses. Jennifer Jeter (Billy) Smith, Trina Jeter (Jeff) Hale, Trey (Ashley) Norman, Natalie Norman Lee, Clint Norman; five great-grandchildren; one sister, Grace Norman Davidson of Oneonta.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Grace Shirley Norman.
He was a life-long resident of Goshen and a member of the Goshen Baptist Church.
Pallbearers for the service will be his nephews.
Lonnie Darrell Valentine
Lonnie Darrell Valentine, 71, of San Antonio, Tx., died on Friday, May 19, 2000, following a heart attack.
Graveside services were held on Tuesday, May 23, 2000, at 10 a.m. at Sunset Memorial Park, followed by a Memorial service at 7 p.m. at Pilgrim Presbyterian Church, with the Revs. David T. Moore and Donald F. Wales officiating over both services and Sunset Funeral Home directing.
Survivors include his wife of 48 years, Marjorie Childs Valentine of San Antonio; his children, Alan D. (Kay) Valentine of Nashville, Tn., Kathy Valentine (Chris) Cottrell of San Antonio, Tx., and Richard M. (Laura) Valentine of Houston, Tx; grandchildren, Shane, Carrie, and Travis Smith and Allie Valentine of San Antonio, Tx., and Brandon, Chelsea and Nathan Valentine of Nashville, Tn. He was the brother-in-law of Dorothy and Frank Gorman, Charles and Frances Childs and Jack Childs, all of Troy, and J.W. and Voncile Childs of Geneva.
He was born in Laurel, Ms., on Feb. 12, 1929. He was a graduate of Troy State University and received his masters degree in Psychology from Trinity University in San Antonio, and his PHD in Educational Measurement Psychology from the University of Texas in 1967.
He served four years in the United States Air Force, followed by a teaching stint in the Andalusia public school system. In 1952, he joined the Air Force’s Armstrong Laboratory Human Resources Directorate, first as an airman, and in 1956 as a civilian research psychologist where he was employed until his retirement in 1994. During his tenure there, he served as Branch Chief of the Abilities Measurement Branch for the Manpower and Personnel Research Division where he specialized in testing. He became widely known as "father of the ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery)," the aptitude test still administered today to incoming Air Force recruits and many high school students. Dr. Valentine also designed the Air Force-wide system for officer promotions currently employed by the Air Force. He was active in the American Psychological Association, was widely published, was the recipient of numerous awards and citations, and he served on a number of joint service committees for the Pentagon. Concurrent with his Civil Service work, he also served for several years as a member of the adjunct faculties at St. Mary’s University and San Antonio College.
He was an active member of the Pilgrim Presbyterian Church since 1956. Over the years, he served as a church trustee, as an elder, as church treasurer, on the stewardship committee, and he taught both Sunday School and Vacation Bible School classes. He also served on the Board of Westminster Square, on the Committee on the Ministry for Mission Presbytery, and he was active in the "Walk To Emmaus" program.
He was a loving and devoted husband and he always found time to be active in the lives of his children and grandchildren. He served as scoutmaster, president of the John Marshall Band Boosters, a member of the Board of San Antonio Youth Symphony, and most recently as a Room Parent for his granddaughter’s kindergarten class at Leon Valley Elementary School.
Visitation was held on Monday, May 22, 2000, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m, at Sunset Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Diakonia Emmaus Community, or to the Pilgrim Presbyterian Church.