Stephen Valadez
Dr. Stephen Kent Valadez, 64, of Signal Mountain, passed away on Saturday, September 20, 2014.
Stephen was an oral surgeon who founded his own dentistry practice in Chattanooga where he worked for many years. He had a passion for learning and teaching, graduating from University of Tennessee Dental School with an internship at Emory School of Medicine in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, then going on to teach at Harvard School of Dental Medicine. Stephen was the vice president of the board of directors for the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry in which he was a founding member, the national spokesperson of the American Academy of General Dentistry, as well as a published author in dental literature. He was chairman and founder of PACE, Inc. a nonprofit educational foundation in Chattanooga. He was also on the board of directors of the Chattanooga Venture Foundation as well as a past president of the Brainerd Chamber of Commerce. As a young man he joined the Air National Guard, where he served for several years. He also enjoyed cooking, painting, tennis and tai chi. Stephen grew up in Chattanooga and lived here for most of his life. He was well known for his wit, charm, and deep love for his family.
He leaves behind his wife, Karla McKamey-Valadez, two sons, Stephen and William, his mother, Fran, as well as his brother and sister, Alex and Candace.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the McKamey Animal Center or Doctors Without Borders.
There will be a service on Monday, September 29th at 11:00 am at the Chapel of Devotion at Hamilton Memorial Gardens with a eulogy by Bill Sharp, followed by a celebration of his life at the home of Bob McKamey, 7802 Night Hawk Road, 37421, in Council Fire and please RSVP at 698-2541.
Funeral arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson. Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com