Jon Michael Vallet, born October 17, 1965, Johnson City, NY, died May 3, 2025 after a mismatched fight with Esophageal Cancer. He lived in Newport News, Virginia.
A proud lifelong misfit, he completed high school by the barest margin, but not college following directly after. Years later it was easier; adult students are granted misfit status by right and expectations are lower. Jon completed an AAS in Mechanical Engineering Technology at Broome Community College (an excellent school), and a BS in Economics at Strayer University (a terrible school attended only by those with a very specific employment/education related goal).
He was a talented mechanical draftsman, likely passed from his father and paternal grandfather, who each had similar work. Jon taught himself about design and manufacturing before returning to school as an adult for a “real” education.
In 2002, Jon was hired as an analyst at Newport News Shipbuilding, Newport News, VA. He worked in various departments across the yard and became known for asking good questions. There was a small list of people there he really took an interest in. If you think you’re on it, by golly you’re right, and it was his honor to know you. Jon liked working there as well as could be expected, and was grateful to the company for the benefits it provided, but frequently wondered why the company seemed to so forcefully hate their own employees.
Jon spent more years in his life as a practicing and studying musician than in any other single pursuit, picking up the guitar at 13 and never really setting it back down again. He learned a lot, performed a lot, had some fun, made stupid mistakes, and earned some extra grocery money.
Emma Kathleen Vallet, Harry James Robert Vallet, and Samuel Joseph Vallet survive him. They are each braver than they believe, stronger than they seem, and smarter than they think. Jon hoped very much they could each grow past a fear of the world he may have inadvertently taught them. His love for you was immense and unending.
He had four brothers and was survived by three. His hero, Brett William (Colleen) Vallet died in January, 2025. Surviving brothers are Jeffrey Lee (Barb) Vallet, Brian Charles (Joan) Vallet, and William Robert (Stephanie) DiIorio. Jon grew up with brothers smarter than him, and benefited from the updraft. He also had nieces and nephews who grew into people he admired, respected, and just plain enjoyed. If your last name is or ever was Vallet or DiIorio, and you are reading this, Jon loved you and was always proud to be your kin.
He was long predeceased by father Harry G Vallet, and survived by mother Lola (Jayne) DiIorio and also-father Robert DiIorio. Jon was not an easy child to raise and much later hoped the scars he caused them were forgotten as he grew into adulthood and was both son and friend. Along those same lines, his aunt and uncle, Delbert and Dorine Woodard saved his life once. He never forgot their care, but also never thanked them enough.
In 1985, Jon married Michele Lynn Keaty and her whole damn family. 40 years later, many are gone, none were forgotten and all of them were loved. There are some important standouts. John Keaty, the smartest, most decent human Jon ever knew. Ruth and Tim Keaty. Those Shepards in Ohio. You guys awed him. And finally father-in-law James Keaty, who wound up as Jon’s best friend though he didn’t really know that until Jim was gone. You taught him so much, asked very little, forgave so many mistakes, and never, ever wavered. Maybe the best teacher Jon ever had. Thanks Papa.
Michele Lynn Keaty. Mickey. She got cute in the 10th grade and Jon was beguiled. They married after high school, struggled, fought, loved, built, got through together. Their vows said the typical things about better and worse, sickness and health. What worked best for them was simply trying to have more good days than bad. Jon loved you more than anything in the world and was sorry he left you holding the bag. Jon read this years ago, and always knew it was written for him to think of you:
You are not beautiful, exactly.
You are beautiful, inexactly.
You let a weed grow by the mulberry
and a mulberry grow by the house.
So close, in the personal quiet
of a windy night, it brushes the wall
and sweeps away the day till we sleep.
A child said it, and it seemed true:
“Things that are lost are all equal.”
But it isn’t true. If I lost you,
the air wouldn’t move, nor the tree grow.
Someone would pull the weed, my flower.
The quiet wouldn’t be yours. If I lost you,
I’d have to ask the grass to let me sleep
⁃ Marvin Bell, To Dorothy
Friends might be reading this. Jon did not keep a wide circle of close friends. If you were in it, you are the family he would also have chosen if he could.
All things pass, and so has Jon. He tried to be decent to everyone, and thought he mostly succeeded. If Jon comes to your mind at all in the future and you ever think to credit him, it would be by also trying to be decent to everyone, as best you can.
Calling hours will be on May 24, 2025 from 1:00-3:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, a donation in Jon’s name to Soundscapes.org. or the American Cancer Society would be appreciated.
