Valentine James Link passed away peacefully on July 22, 2019, surrounded by his family. Val was born on April 28, 1940, in Shreveport, Louisiana, to Valentine John Link and Lucille Stillions Link Skrobarcek. On December 23, 1961, he married Sharon Lea Schaulis. They raised one son, Jim and one daughter, Jennifer. He received his BFA from University of Texas in Austin in 1965 and went on to get his MFA from Cranbrook Academy of Art in 1967. He was a professor of Jewelry and Metalsmithing at University of Houston for 37 years and an avid UH Cougar football fan.

Val and Sharon were members of a square dance club and country western dance club for many years and made some lifelong friends. Val was active in a number of organizations: NAWCC Chapter 139, Houston Metal Arts Guild, Houston Gem and Mineral Society, Society of American Silversmiths, Society of North American Goldsmiths and many other affiliations.

Val had a passion for creativity and loved to dance. He loved to tinker with watches, clocks and jewelry. His art was admired not only by friends and family, but also by many students and colleagues. He was an avid antique hunter and knew the history of so many things. He was known for his quick wit, infectious smile and his kind, compassionate spirit. Everyone that met him, loved him. He was one of a kind and will be missed immensely.

Val was preceded in death by is parents. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Sharon; son, Jim and wife Kathy; daughter, Jennifer and husband Mark; five grandchildren, Kelsey, Kristina, Kaleigh, Kasey and husband Jake, and Zach; sister, Mary Lu; brother, Denis and wife Mary Ann; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

A Memorial Service will be held on August 7, 2019 at 10:30 am at the Houston Museum of Natural Science in the Brown Gallery 5555 Hermann Park Drive, Houston, Texas 77030.

In lieu of flowers the family wishes donations be made to the Houston Museum of Natural Science http://www.hmns.org/sa/index.php

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