John "Johnny" S Valenti Jr.

He will be dearly missed by his parents, John and Donna Valenti, his sister, Lauren Valenti (Derek Pershing), his girlfriend Stephanie Gracie and their dog, Dwight, grandparents Louis and Judy Palumbo, aunts Marie Valenti, Phyllis Bedami, Angela Valenti and Vickie Scaglione (Troy), uncle Louis Palumbo (Rita) and countless other cousins, family members and friends.

Johnny graduated from the University of Florida in 2008 with a degree in Criminology and obtained his Doctorate of Jurisprudence from Stetson University College of Law in 2012. He started his legal career at the public defender’s office for the 13th Judicial Circuit of Hillsborough County under Public Defender Julianne M. Holt. He was a practicing attorney with Galloway, Johnson, Tompkins, Burr & Smith in Tampa until his untimely passing.

Johnny was truly larger than life. He could bring humor to any situation, no matter how inappropriate or “too soon.” He had a passion for golf, whether it be playing with friends or with his father every Saturday morning, followed by Cuban sandwiches and a café con leche. Competitive to his core, he excelled in anything he did from playing the saxophone and throwing the shot put in high school, intramural basketball at Stetson, miniature golf, poker, Jeopardy!, fantasy football, trivia nights, to even obscure sports and games like bocce, disc golf, Weapons & Warriors, Clask, and Bonk. If you were on his team and were holding him back from winning, you were done. He loved traveling, going to Vegas, and a nice steak dinner. His story and joke telling abilities were unmatched.

Above all else, he loved his family, his close friends, his girlfriend and his dog. He was always the first to demand upholding holiday traditions, including Easter egg hunts well into adulthood and never missing the yearly Christmas breakfast prepared by his well-meaning aunt and godmother Marie (“Mimi”). Johnny was happy to not deprive his parents of their parental duties – making him meals and doing his laundry. Every friend that Johnny made thought they were his closest or best friend (but the real ones know who they are). He was the kind of friend that everyone wanted as the best man in their wedding. Although outgoing and friendly, he was stubborn and hardheaded to a fault. Johnny was lucky enough to meet Stephanie, who not only put up with him, but made him happier than he had ever been. Their dog Dwight was a sweet and loyal companion, staying by Johnny’s side until the very end.

A service will be held in Johnny’s honor at St. Paul Catholic Church at 12708 North Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, FL 33618 on Thursday, April 29, 2021 promptly at 10:00 a.m. A celebration of life will be held on Friday, April 30, 2021 at Carrollwood Country Club at 13903 Clubhouse Drive, Tampa, FL 33618 from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, to those that knew him best, donations in Johnny’s name may be made to The Human Fund. Actual memorial donations may be made to the Humane Society of Tampa Bay in his name