John North, 70

Montana lost John North on March 1, 2018. The state is poorer with his passing; every wilderness area in the state a little emptier; humor and optimism a bit more scarce; Lady Griz basketball one fan short; state lands supported with one less voice.

A member of the Shodair/Florence Crittenton Class of 1948, John grew up in Bigfork with Florence and Fred North. He loved them, loved the Flathead Valley, and came to love the beauty that defined Montana. He worked his way through the University of Montana as a custodian at Bigfork’s high school and came away with a bachelor’s degree in history/political science, a law degree, and lifelong friends from the Wesley Foundation Covenant Group.

His career as a lawyer began with the Flathead County attorney’s office, moved to Helena where he worked first for the attorney general. He served as chief legal counsel for Gov. Ted Schwinden, the Department of State Lands, and the Department of Environmental Quality. John took great pride in well-written and thoroughly researched environmental laws and rules.

In 1974, John married Dawn Whitaker, also of Bigfork, a partnership that lasted 43 years. They championed the Prickly Pear Land Trust, the Nature Conservancy, public radio, and dry humor. They belonged to Covenant United Methodist Church, and welcomed visitors from around the world to their home. Twenty-eight summers they made eight-day backpack trips into Montana wilderness areas. They also hiked Yellowstone Park regularly, lost track of trails they explored in the region, happily rode trains back and forth across the country, skied into back-country cabins, attended Lady Griz basketball games, gardened (John specialized in weeding), traveled the globe, enthusiastically watched baseball, and championed environmental consciousness with their Prius, solar panels, recycling and lifestyle. Friends and those who encountered him in life as well as the courtroom, remember John’s honesty, quick dry wit, meticulous attention to detail, and kind heart.

John is survived by Dawn; his son, Arif Nairam; and a granddaughter, Aaliyah Nairam. He also leaves behind border collie, Alder; and cat, Pintler. Also surviving are Dawn’s parents, Richard and Nancy Whitaker; her sisters and their families, Sherrie and Tim Calaway, and Lori and Rod Walton; his mother’s sister, Marna Hartman, and all the wonderful Ohio family.

A celebration of John’s life will be held from noon until the cows come home, on Saturday, June 23, at the family’s home.

Memorial donations may be sent to the Prickly Pear Land Trust, P.O. Box 892, Helena, MT 59624; or to the Nature Conservancy of Montana, 32 S. Ewing St. Suite 215, Helena, MT 59601; or Last Chance Public Radio, P.O Box 1072, Helena, MT 59624; or any other public radio station of one’s choosing.

Please visit www.retzfuneralhome.com to offer condolences or share a memory of John.