Walter Ned Douglas Tinlin, 91
Walter Ned Douglas Tinlin was born on Groundhog Day, Feb. 2, 1926, to Agnes Sterns Tinlin and Walter Douglas Tinlin. He lived on Wind Mountain in Home Valley, Washington, with his parents and sister Margaret, until his father’s death when Walter was 11. At that time, the family moved to the Portland area to be close to extended family.
Walt served as a medic in the U.S. Army during the waning years of World War II, traveling to the Philippines and Japan. Upon his return home, he enrolled in Walla Walla College where he met and married Jean Brooks. Walt and Jean finished college at Pacific Union College in Angwin, California, where Walt earned a teaching degree. He taught in several schools in Oregon and Washington. During the summers, the two of them served as fire lookouts at various remote fire lookout towers. During this era, they had four children, the oldest of whom died shortly after birth.
When the children were still small, the family moved to Yakima, Washington, where they stayed until the children were adults. It was during this time that the kids learned to love the out-of-doors from many wonderful camping trips and other nature outings. The extended family was important to Walt and Jean, and so there were many trips to visit relatives as well.
Despite the loss of his father when he was young, Walt was unaware that there was anything he couldn’t do if he tried. He built three houses from the ground up, including all phases of construction. He built a complete stereo system, including the cabinet to house it. He built a motor home. He owned a small fruit orchard. Any motor that needed to be repaired or rebuilt, he did it. While in Yakima, Walt left teaching, trading that for the more physically challenging job of carpet and floor covering installer. He and Jean began installing flooring in commercial building projects such as churches, schools and extended care facilities across the United States.
With the children grown, out of the house, and married, Walt and Jean moved to Danville, in north-central Washington, near the Canadian border, where they built a fourth home. The children and grandchildren loved to visit the beautiful and remote area.
Ultimately, being nearer to family and regular health care brought them to the Flathead Valley in 2005. Here Walt spent his final years with Jean enjoying gardening, lawn care and the company of family and friends. He died Feb. 23, 2017, at the age of 91 at home, with Jean by his side, following a long and satisfying life.
He was preceded in death by his father Walter Douglas Tinlin, mother Agnes Sterns Tinlin, an infant son, and sister Margaret Tinlin Fry.
He is survived by his wife Jean, daughter Marcia and son-in-law Tim Schalesky of Ecuador, daughter Barbara and son-in-law Bob Tritt of Spokane, and son Carl and daughter-in-law Sandy Tinlin of Whitefish; granddaughter Alison Tinlin of Whitefish, granddaughter Lindsay Tinlin of Kalispell, and grandson Lance Cpl. Zachary Tinlin, U.S. Marine Corps; as well as numerous nephews and nieces.
A memorial service for Walter will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, March 3, at the Seventh-day Adventist Church, 1185 Old Reserve Drive, in Kalispell. The service will be officiated by Pastor Casey Higgins.