KILMARNOCK—John Vallard “Val” Raham, 81, of Kilmarnock, the husband of Karen Raham, passed away on December 28, 2025, surrounded by loved ones.
Val was born on June 27, 1944, in Toronto, Canada. He came to the United States with his family, and graduated from high school and business school in Charlottesville.
Val was mentored by people in school, and in the community. He valued those mentors and grew up with a strong sense of duty, integrity and faith. He proudly served his country as a petty officer in the United States Navy. During his term in the Navy, Val developed a lifelong respect for service, discipline and camaraderie. His military years contributed to the deep sense of devotion he felt toward God, his family and friends and this nation. They were the values that defined him and his relationships during his lifetime. Val often referred to his earthly lifetime as his dash—the contents of life represented on tombstones by the dash between a person’s birth date and the date of their death.
Val worked for 33 years for Virginia Energy Services Inc., serving the last 13 of those years as vice president. He later fulfilled a dream of running his own business. Together with a business partner, he co-owned Virginia Heritage Brass that operated stores in several locations.
Above all, though, Val was a man of faith. He cherished his relationship with God and lived out his values daily, setting an example of humility, strength and compassion. His relationship with God was an integral part of Val’s dash. Family and friends were the center of his world, and he found his greatest joy in time spent with his loving wife Karen, and her children and grandchildren.
His patriotism was evident in both word and deed, as he continually expressed gratitude for the freedoms and blessings of this nation. He will be remembered as a devoted husband, a faithful friend and a man of principle who lived life with honor. He will also forever be remembered for bringing freshly baked chocolate chip cookies and other treats to housebound parishioners as well as to the Grace Church office for the staff and visitors to enjoy.
Val is survived by his wife, Karen; and her sons, Matthew and Jon; and their grandchildren.
Burial with military honors was held at 11 a.m. Monday, January 5, at Monticello Memory Gardens in Charlottesville. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, January 9, at Grace Episcopal Church in Kilmarnock.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Grace Episcopal Church Ambrose Fund or Boys & Girls Club of the Northern Neck, Kilmarnock.
The family wishes to extend heartfelt thanks to Dr. Steven Griswold and his staff in Hartfield; Hospice of Virginia, Tappahannock; and Rev. Kimberly Glenn, Grace Episcopal Church, for their support and care.
