Jay 'J.P' Patrick Wartnow, 68

Jay "J.P" Patrick Wartnow, 68, passed away Aug. 26, 2007, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center, after a five month battle with brain cancer. Born July 17, 1939, (Jay was frequently referred to as "J.P." to friends) was born on the same farm he resided until the time of his death on J.P. Road in Whitefish.

Jay attended school in Whitefish and in 1956 left for the National Guard where he began service as a cannoneer in the 639th Field Artillery. From there he enlisted in the U.S. Navy as a radioman third class on the USS Lowe, a destroyer escort radar ship.

In addition, Jay served on the USS Nautilus which was the first commissioned nuclear powered submarine in the U.S. Navy. The USS Nautilus accomplished "the impossible" at that time, which was to reach the geographic North Pole-90 degrees north.

Jay also had the honor of carrying the flag during the Eisenhower inauguration for the presidency. He often joked with his grandchildren that he lost his shoe during the inaugural march, but kept on walking. Jay was honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy in 1959 due to tuberculosis contracted in service.

Jay married Patricia Jo Ann Rush on Nov. 11, 1958, in Seattle. After his discharge from the Navy, Jay moved his family back to Whitefish with his wife "Pat" and together they raised their four children near the Whitefish City Beach in Whitefish.

Across the street lived his older brother and best friend, George. George and his wife, Billie, continue to reside across from his brother at the Wartnow family farm in Whitefish on J.P. Road.

During this time Jay worked at Plum Creek Timber Company, as well as serving his local community as a deputy sheriff. His tenure with the sheriff's office saw him assist in the investigation of the grizzly bear attacks in Glacier Park of 1967. This event later became the subject of the Jack Olsen's book, "Night of the Grizzlies."

In 1971, Jay began a career with the Burlington Northern Railroad as a switchman, working his way up to engineer in 1978. He retired from Burlington Northern Railroad in 2001, having made many longtime friends during his tenure with the railroad.

Jay had a great love for the outdoors and his horses. He was a talented horseman, winning many awards; most notably the MCHA "Rookie of the Year" award; and won the "20,000 Amateur Champion" on his cutting horse "Lucky Bottom." Jay tuned "Lucky" himself; a rare feat for an amateur.

Jay was preceded in death by his parents, John and Julia Wartnow; his brothers, Bobby and John; and his sister, Alice.

He is survived by three sisters and one brother. He will be deeply missed by his wife of nearly 50 years, Pat; his daughter, Sherry Hayman, and her husband, Robert, of Seattle; daughter, Teri Kohli, of Hutchinson, Minn.; son, Jay Wartnow, and his wife, Beth, of Billings; and daughter, Carie Oney-Gress, of Kalispell; grandchildren, Caesy Oney of Portland, Evan Kohli of Hutchinson, Mack Turnrose of Seattle, Tayler Gress of Columbia Falls, Julia Dietel of Hutchinson, Minn., and Kellen and Addison Wartnow of Billings.

A memorial service for family and close friends will be held at 11 a.m. today, Aug. 31, at Austin Funeral Home in Whitefish.

The family suggests memorial donations be directed to Hospice of Kalispell Regional Medical Center who provided exceptional care and compassion for Jay and his family.

Austin Funeral Home in Whitefish is caring for Jay's family.