DOUGLAS R. VALENTINE, 1940-2013

B.G. landlord had been chosen outstanding citizen by chamber

4/22/2013

BOWLING GREEN — Douglas R. Valentine, 72, a Bowling Green landlord and self-employed builder and developer who donated time and money to many charitable causes in the city of his birth, died Friday at Bowling Green Manor nursing facility.

His daughter, Vicki Valentine Adler, said her father, who had been in ill health, moved into the nursing facility in January.

Mr. Valentine owned Preferred Properties, a realty and property rental agency that at one time owned and managed hundreds of units throughout the city. Now managed by his daughter, Preferred Properties controls approximately 200 rental units.

“At one point during his heyday, he was one of the biggest landlords,” his daughter said.

In addition to the rental business, he also operated DK Enterprises, a construction and demolition debris landfill in Bowling Green and James Bay Outfitters in Cochrane, Ont., Canada.

His daughter said he purchased the fishing lodge in the early 1980s and hired a Canadian to manage the property. Mr. Valentine enjoyed fishing there, which likely led to his purchase of the site, and traveled to the West to hunt big game.

Mr. Valentine was born on Oct. 13, 1940, to Charles and Kathryn Valentine.

After graduating from Bowling Green High School in 1958, he entered the trades and became a master plumber and was licensed in heating and air conditioning work, his daughter said.

As owner of DK Enterprises, he served on the Ohio Construction Demolition Board.

In 2004, he testified before state lawmakers in support of a bill to add a 61-cent-a-ton fee on material hauled into landfills, saying the funds would allow more scrutiny of Ohio landfills near the Pennsylvania line that accept large amounts of debris from the East Coast.

The money was earmarked for county health boards to inspect and oversee construction and demolition-debris landfills.

Mr. Valentine developed the itch to fly during the Blizzard of 1978, when he rode along on a rescue helicopter to take an ill child to a hospital. “That was the trigger to go out and start flying,” his daughter said.

After earning his pilot’s license, he bought and assembled helicopter kits. Mr. Valentine often volunteered to fly in search of missing persons, his daughter said.

His generosity extended to aiding in the start-up of a battered women’s shelter and he supported the Cherry Street Mission in Toledo, Habitat for Humanity, and the Special Olympics.

“The Cherry Street Mission was a longtime family charity ... one they felt strongly about,” his daughter said.

When his grandchildren attended the local Montessori School, he ensured the school had room to expand by donating land and spearheading the closure of Maple Street to allow it room to grow.

He helped develop what he considered a neglected area on the city’s southeast side known informally as Hog Town. His daughter said that part of town lacked sewer, water, and electricity, and he took it on himself to add that infrastructure, most likely without seeking the city’s permission first.

“He was not one to always get everyone’s approval first,” his daughter said. “He thought it better to ask for forgiveness later than for forgiveness first.”

In addition to apartment complexes, he built commercial structures, homes and subdivisions, and storage units.

In 2009, Mr. Valentine was given the outstanding citizen award by the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce.

Mr. Valentine is survived by daughters Vicky Valentine Adler, Debbie Heim, Dawn Baker, Lori Feasel, and Lisa Hoverson; sons Dudley Schrader and Greg Hoverson; 17 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; special friend, Peggy Hancock; former wives, Marilyn Greunke and Ruth Ann Hawn; a sister, Pat Carrier, and brothers Ned, Mark, and Paul Valentine.

He was preceded in death by brothers Dudley, Dallas, and Duane, and by a sister, Nancy Josephsen.

Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Deck-Hanneman Funeral Home & Crematory, 1460 W. Wooster St., Bowling Green.

A celebration of life will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to the Cherry Street Mission or to the Cocoon Shelter of Bowling Green.

Contact Jim Sielicki at: jsielicki@theblade.com or 419-724-6050.