John M.C. Tedrick, 78

John M.C. Tedrick of Columbia Falls passed away in Missoula on Monday, Nov. 18.

John was born in his grandparents’ — Mike and Lillian Oakley Garr’s — home on M Street in Livingston on Sept. 17, 1941. He was the firstborn of John D. and Emalyn Garr. He was raised on a ranch 17 miles out of Livingston on West Boulder Road. After graduating from Park County High School in 1959, he soon joined the Air Force. He was stationed in various places in the United States but favored Anchorage, Alaska. After being discharged in Florida, he returned to Anchorage to work for the Alaska State Highway Department in the soils division. As a hobby, he taught and called square dancing. It was there in October 1967, he met his future wife, Juanita Goodwin.

They were married in Kashwitna, Alaska on Sept. 14, 1968. In September 1969, their first child, Delwinna, was born. John went to work for Western Airlines. In August 1970, they decided to move back to Montana and joined the Tedricks in Creston. There the second child, Dwayne, was born. John quickly found a job with Plum Creek Lumber and remained there for a little over thirty years. Their last child, Derek, was born while they were living in the Halfmoon area.

In the ’80s, John joined the U.S. Army Reserve and finished out 21 years in the military. John was a hardworking, salt-of-the-earth man. He always put his family first, and they were his first priority. He read his Bible daily and was finishing his fifth reading of his Bible when he died. He is survived by his wife Juanita, daughter Delwinna Leonhardt (Brian) of Columbia Falls, sons Dwayne (Diana) of Big Sandy and Derek (Elisa) of Billings. He also leaves two sisters, Emalyn (Pete) Walters of Moise and Mary (Larry) of Moccasin and a brother, Jerry, of Ronan.

He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers—Robert, Albert, Harry and Elmer—and a niece, Emalyn Jo. He is also survived by seven grandchildren whom he loved dearly: Sean Tedrick, Arianna Miller, Gabrielle Leonhardt, Pacey Tedrick, Mia Tedrick, Joseph Leonhardt and Delena Tedrick. He and his sense of humor will be missed.

Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 5in Glacier Memorial Gardens outside of Kalispell.