John A. Linn Jr., 71
John A. Linn Jr. of Sun City West, Ariz., passed away Saturday, March 26, 2005. He was 71 years old.
"Jack," as he preferred to be called, was born in Aberdeen, S.D., in November of 1933 to John and Vernie Linn. Shortly after his birth the family moved to Missoula where Jack grew up. He graduated from Missoula County High School, which incidentally was where his father was an English teacher.
In 1952, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, and eventually was stationed in Korea, assigned to the infantry. Four months into his tour of duty while participating in combat maneuvers, Jack was shot through the chest a couple inches above his heart, and also suffered severe leg wounds. He was not expected to survive, but did, and received the Purple Heart and returned to Missoula.
Shortly after his return, he started his college studies at the University of Montana where he participated in the ROTC program.
During this time, he met, fell in love with, and married fellow student Kay Leona Linn (Nelson) in 1957. Eighteen months later, they had their first son, named John. Prior to finishing his first degree, and with Kay pregnant with their second son, Scott, he re-enlisted in the Army as a 1st lieutenant and returned to Korea. During the second tour in Korea he worked as a special communications officer, and later as a battery commander. After completion of his second tour in Korea, he again returned to Missoula to complete his undergraduate degree. In 1960, he received his Bachelor of Science degree in physics and math.
Later in life, pursuing his love of learning and teaching, he completed graduate studies at Boston College, University of Washington, and eventually received his Masters degree in physics from the University of Arizona.
Jack's love of Montana and all that the state offered kept him from accepting work in other states. In 1962, the family moved to Billings where he began his career as a physics teacher at Billings West High School, where he taught for 34 years until his retirement in 1995. During his time at Billings West, he was well liked by the students, respected by his fellow teachers, and was successful in providing students with a positive environment in which they could learn and mature. He was the past president of the Billings Education Association, former board member of the Montana Education Association, and recipient of many professional honorary awards.
Several years before his retirement, Jack and Kay built a waterfront house on Flathead Lake where they planned to live. In 1996, Kay passed away suddenly, and Jack moved up to the lake where he lived for three years.
In 1999, he fell in love for a second time, and married to Dawn Linn (Green) of Polson. Shortly after their marriage, they moved to Sun City West, Ariz., where they lived happily together until his passing.
Jack loved spending time with family and friends, especially if it involved outdoor activities. He enjoyed time with his two sons; they often back-packed, snow and water skied, motorcycled, camped, and did anything that had to do with fishing, and the unique life style of Montana. He coached youth basketball, Little League teams, and was involved in all types of youth activities, especially when his two sons were involved.
Jack was a good person and valued citizen of whichever community he happened to be living in. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.
He is survived by his second wife, Dawn; brother, Michael, and niece, Fran, of Duluth, Minn.; sons, John and Scott Linn of Vancouver, Wash., and Boynton Beach, Fla., respectively; two daughters-in-law, Young and Karin; three grandchildren, Michael, Austin and Madison; Dawn's children, James and Jill, of Bend, Ore., and Missoula; and many nephews and nieces. He also, of course, leaves behind his little white dog, named Annie.
A small memorial gathering is planned for July in Montana.
Memorials if desired should be sent to Sun Health Hospice, 19702 N. Routzahn Way, Sun City West, AZ 85375.