John Murrell Syth, 60

John Murrell Syth, 60, the eldest son of Jerry M. Syth and Ruth Soderstrom, was born July 20, 1954, in Kalispell. “He was called to be with Our Lord and Savior” on Dec. 26, 2014, after a short, yet courageous battle with cancer.

John lived in Northwestern Montana and spent a great deal of time at the family cabin on Flathead Lake. He attended Eureka High School while living in Fortine with his father. John left the state briefly, he wed twice, had no children, yet fully enjoyed his many nephews and nieces.

John studied in Missoula at the University of Montana, loved his “Grizzlies,” and more recently attended Flathead Valley Community College, living near his Uncle Leon and Aunt Evelyn in Kalispell.

John was a warmhearted, kind and caring man. He always was there with a huge bear hug and a genuine smile. He had a keen memory and there was nothing like reminiscing of times of the past with him. His rekindled tales will be greatly missed.  

John had many passions throughout his life. He was a man of God and loved his church. He always had a love for music, football and any game that challenged the mind; and, more recently, a love of gardening — and it showed in his harvest. John was an avid reader; he delved deep in research in our country’s state of affairs and those in charge of it. He was a true patriot and sought for God's hand in all things. John was working on writing an intriguing novel, after having penned several short stories.  He always enjoyed playing on his computer; he mastered as “Diamond Wolf” in the virtual realm, connecting with thousands of friends throughout the world. John will be dearly missed by many.

John is survived by his mother, Ruth Soderstrom; his younger siblings, Kim Buchholtz, Rick Syth, Sherry Lynn Olsen and Randy Dennison; his beloved aunts and uncles, and many cousins, nieces, nephews and dear friends.

John was preceded in death by his father, Jerry Syth; maternal grandparents, Clarence and Alice Soderstrom; paternal grandparents, Harold Syth and Lucy Cusick. Since his time of death, his beloved Uncle Leon Syth also passed away.

There will be a celebration of life for John at 11 a.m. on Jan. 8 at the First Church of the Nazarene, located at 1295 Whitefish Stage in Kalispell.