Toss Valentine Iii

Toss Ralph Valentine, III, 76, of Concord, passed away Monday, January 2, 2023, at Tucker Hospice House of Kannapolis, surrounded by his loving family. Ralph was born August 10, 1946, in Charlotte, to the late Toss Ralph Valentine, Jr., and Winifred Love Valentine. He retired as an Industrial Engineer from Food Lion. Ralph attended West Georgia College on a baseball scholarship. He was scouted and signed to play with the Pittsburg Pirates upon completion of college, but a knee injury kept him from playing baseball professionally. Ralph was a devoted Georgia Bulldogs and Atlanta Braves fan. Following retirement, Ralph shared his artistic talent through watercolor painting and stained glass.

Ralph was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Tommy Lucero. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Kathy Ross Valentine; son, Toss Ralph Valentine, IV and wife, Meredith; daughter, Carolyn Valentine; son, John Valentine and wife, Katrina; grandchildren, Stuart Valentine, Oliver Valentine, Henry Valentine, and Emma Grace Valentine; sister, Diana Baca and husband, Charles of Santa Fe, NM; brother, Larry Lucero and wife, Jeanette of Colorado Springs, CO; mother-in-law, Christine Ross.

The family will receive friends Saturday, January 7, from 5 to 7 pm, at Hartsell Funeral Home, Concord. A graveside service will take place at Marshville Cemetery in Marshville, NC at a later date.

Memorials may be made to The Cabarrus Art Guild, P.O. Box 6631, Concord NC 28027, Hospice of Cabarrus County, 5003 Hospice Lane, Kannapolis, NC 28081, or a charity of your choice.