James Bernard Valentine (Buddy), son of the late James B. and Phyllis E. Valentine, was born on September 6, 1931, in Baltimore City. He departed this life on July 17,2014. Buddy was born and raised in Baltimore on Druid Hill Avenue. As a boy, he was involved in activities at the YMCA. In 1947, the family moved to Fulton Avenue. He was educated in the Baltimore City Public Schools, graduating from Frederick Douglass High School in February 1950. He joined the United States Air Force immediately after graduating from High School. Active service overseas included stations in French Moroc- co, Spain, Gibraltar and England. On returning to the States he was sta- tioned in Riverside, California. While in military service, Buddy played tenor saxophone with the Air Force Band. He retiredfrom the Air Force in 1965, and moved to Minot, North Dakota, and then to Minneapolis, Minnesota before returning to Baltimore in 1982. Upon returning to Bal- timore, Buddy became employed as a civilian for the Department of the Army at Fort Meade, and later at Aberdeen Proving Grounds until his retirement in 2001. His military service included 14 years in USAF from 1950 to 1965; andfor the Department of the Army from 1983-2001. Buddy was a cartoonist, musician and an artist. His interests included drawing, playing the saxophone, listening to jazz, socializing with family andfriends and watching old movies. A jazz enthusiast at an early age, once while in 4th grade, he argued with a classmate over who was the best band, Count Basie or Glen Miller-he later admitted his friend was right-Count Basie was the best. Buddy was generous, always fun to be around, and never forgot a name, a birthday, an anniversary or any spe- cial event, that involved family and friends. He is survived by: his sisters, Constance Wise, Robinette Randolph, Halcyon Valentine and Iris Joyce Darby (Harry); his brothers, Ricardo (Marie) and Ramon. Sister Romaine and Brother Wayne predeceased him. He is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, including Beverly Wise, Janine Wise, Darryl Wise, Vicki Valentine and Lisa Brown (Spencer), Ramon, Dante and Ricky Valentine, Harry Darby, III, Reda Darby-Parker (Tracy), Kevin and Angela Bull, Vernetta Taylor, Rayetta Townsend, and the DeFords. Special friends and extended family, include Gloria Valentine, Sheeree Jeffers and Shawnta' Matthews (Bunni' Rab- bit) and a host of other relatives and friends.