Tommy Allan Valenta

Tommy Allan Valenta of Dallas, Texas, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family on Sunday, February 12, 2017 at CHI St. Luke’s Health in Houston, Texas, after a long battle with cancer. He was 67 years old.

Tommy was born March, 4, 1949 at St. Joseph’s Maternity Hospital in Houston, Texas.

When he was six years old, Tommy’s parents, Lody Valenta and Margaret Helen Hassell, moved their family to Wichita Falls, Texas. He attended Fain Elementary, Barwise Junior High and graduated from Ryder High School, where he was an all-round athlete and All-District quarterback. He attended Midwestern University in Wichita Falls and later earned his MBA from Southern Methodist University. He began a life-long love affair with golf at the age of 8 and was the member of many golf clubs, including the Dallas Country Club, Preston Trail Golf Club and Wade Hampton Golf Club in Cashiers, North Carolina, where he enjoyed spending his summers with family and friends. Tommy also loved to spoil his grandchildren using the awesome combination of hugs and kisses, classic cars and ice cream.

An accomplished businessman, Tommy was President and CEO of Chaparral Steel Company from 2005 until he retired in 2007. Before joining Chaparral he was with Texas Industries, Inc. for 35 years where he held various positions, including Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Tommy served on the boards of HollyFrontier Corp (NYSE) and American Excelsior Company.

Tommy served as director for many industry associations including the National Ready-Mixed Concrete Association, American Institute of Steel Construction, Steel Manufacturers Association and the International Iron and Steel Institute. His charity service included President of the Cashiers (North Carolina) Community Fund, Baylor Health Care Foundation, Salesmanship Club of Dallas Foundation, Boy Scouts of America-Circle 10 Council Foundation, president of the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas Corporation, the United Way, the SMU-Cox School of Business Advisory and Mentorship Program and the Texas Business Hall of Fame.

Tommy is survived by his wife of 24 years, Lana Moore Valenta; his son Stephen Valenta and his wife Kelly Valenta; his daughter Shelley Valenta-Hood and her husband Robin Hood; his step-son Kenneth Somodevilla and his wife Gina Lambright; his step-son Todd Somodevilla and his wife Marysia Makowska; his step-son Neil Somodevilla and his wife Margaret Somodevilla; his step-daughter Alina Williams and her husband Jared Williams; 12 grandchildren and one great-grandson. He is also survived by his loving siblings, brother John Michael Valenta; sister

Valerie Faye Valenta Prater and her husband Doug Prater; and sister Margaret Ann Valenta Davis and her husband Larry Davis.

Tommy’s family will host a visitation from 7 to 9 PM Tuesday, February 14, 2017 at Sparkman-Hillcrest Funeral Home, 7405 W. Northwest Highway, Dallas, Texas 75225. His funeral service will be celebrated at 11AM, Wednesday February 15, 2017 at Church of the Incarnation, 3966 McKinney Ave., Dallas, Texas 75204. The service will be followed by a short reception at the church and a burial service at Sparkman-Hillcrest Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to the Salesmanship Club of Dallas.