John Wesley DeYoung, 76

John Wesley DeYoung passed away Sept. 27, 2020, in Mesa, Arizona.

John was born Dec. 27, 1943, to John Wesley and Mary Louise DeYoung and spent the majority of his growing up years on the family cherry orchard and around Flathead Lake.

He married his high school sweetheart Linda Lee Dickson in 1963 and they were together for 51 years until her passing in 2014.

He met and married Myrna Jayne Hinton, “M.J.,” and was married to her for six fun-filled years until his passing from complications from liver transplant surgery.

John graduated college from the University of Montana in Missoula with a degree in business finance, working his entire career for the U.S. Forest Service, and retiring at 55 as the administrative officer for the Kootenai National Forest in Libby.

After retirement he spent his winters in Mesa, his summers in Libby and, for the last few years, a part of each spring in Maui, Hawaii, with M.J. Mixed in with that were cruises and trips and gatherings with friends and family at the Libby home and, as always, returning to Flathead Lake whenever possible to continue to make memories there.

He was a friend, a husband, a father and “great and grand” father and thoroughly enjoyed laughing and playing and having the most fun possible in a given situation. He had a sharp mind and a clever playful wit and always strived to stay busy and make the most of his life.

John was preceded in death by his parents John Wesley and Mary Louise, and his first wife Linda.

He is survived by his loving wife, Myrna Jayne Hinton-DeYoung, “M.J.,” and her adult children Chad (Mona), Darren (Kelly) and their children and grandchildren. He is survived by his sons Sean Terrance and his son John Darrell (Jodie), grandchildren Steven (Breezie), Brandon and Terran. He also leaves behind two great granddaughters, Camryn and Aubree. He is also survived by his brother Gary (Mary), his sister Nancy Tiensvold, and many nieces, nephews and friends.

There will be a gathering and celebration of John’s life on Thursday, July 29, at 11 a.m. at Lakeview Cemetery in Polson where he will be buried. Family and friends will gather after the service at a no-host luncheon at a location to be announced at the memorial. If you have questions, please feel free to contact John Darrell @ johnwte11@yahoo.com.