Valentine was killed when he, his wife and her sister were struck by
lightning while on holiday in
Barmouth in Wales on 25 July 1904. The severe storm caused the death of several other people who were struck by lightning, although Valentine's wife and her sister recovered. According to one report, Valentine, his wife and his two sisters-in-law were walking on a hill overlooking Barmouth and
Cardigan Bay in mid-afternoon when they were suddenly caught in the storm. The first lightning strike lit the
gorse-covered hill on fire, and then a second bolt struck Valentine, his wife and her sister Nellie Worthington. Her other sister, nurse Mary Worthington, was walking a few yards behind them and was able to summon immediate help. However, a doctor who arrived within minutes found Jim Valentine already dead. A Manchester newspaper reported the news with sorrow: "The event has cast gloom over Barmouth. "Jim" Valentine was known to all footballers as one of the best players who ever donned a jersey. There has been, indeed, no more popular figure in Northern Rugby football. His name primarily, of course, is associated with the Swinton club, of which he was captain for a great number of years—years when the club, perhaps, was in the zenith of its fame. But he was one of the mainstays also of Lancashire County, and in the days of the Rugby Union of the English International team. In his day he could not be beaten as a three-quarter, and was a certain scorer when near the line. His tackling was about his strongest point, and for his club and county he possessed a wonderful record as a try-getter. Though three-quarter was his proper position." He was buried on 29 July 1904, on what would have been his 38th birthday, at St. John's churchyard in
Pendlebury. Valentine is also believed to be one of two people after whom the Valentine Cup, a long running amateur rugby competition in the Manchester area, is named. ==References==