Jack L. Lingle, 89

Jack Lee Lingle was born on Nov. 10, 1932, to Barbara Lorene and Samual Lee Lingle in Kalispell. He was born in his grandmother’s small farmhouse at the location of the present-day Evergreen school.

Jack lived a happy childhood with his parents in a cabin on Flathead Lake in Dayton. He then moved to a farm that his parents purchased where he worked as a farmer, dairyman and rancher until his high school graduation. While attending Polson High School, Jack was a star football and track athlete who set numerous records. He went on to college at Montana State University where he was involved with ROTC.

Jack married the love of his life, Geraldine “Geri” Marie Commers at the Polson Methodist Church on Jan. 14, 1954. The marriage ceremony was held during a candlelight service due to blizzard conditions outside. Jack and Geri met in the sixth grade and were best friends ever since. They resided in Rollins where they welcomed their first two sons, Kent and Curtis. They were among the first water skiers on Flathead Lake, and even made their own skis! In January 1960, they moved to Evergreen where they still resided to this day. Just weeks after moving to Evergreen they welcomed their first and only daughter, Pamela. Six years later, they would welcome their last son, Cameron. Jack and Geri were married 68 years.

Jack was very ethical and a dedicated hard worker. He worked as the Flathead County bridge supervisor, flood control, farming, ranching, logging, and with the Evergreen Volunteer Fire Department. Working with the Evergreen Volunteer Fire Department was his most valued job for the interest of serving the people in the community.

Jack provided inspiration to all younger and older generations. He enjoyed coaching PeeWee Baseball and was instrumentally and actively involved in being a Boy Scout leader. As a Boy Scout leader, he enjoyed keeping the younger generations involved with knot tying, citizenship, leadership, camping, and hiking through the Bob Marshall Wilderness. Jack was heavily involved with high school and travel team sports including, but not limited to, football, softball and wrestling. He accompanied his children and grandchildren across the Pacific Northwest, supporting and volunteering. He was always their biggest fan!

Jack was greatly involved with fundraising for the Fire Department. This included running a food booth at the Flathead County Fair and attending the firemen water games, from which the Evergreen Volunteer Fire Department came home with many trophies.

One of Jack’s greatest accomplishments was being named Citizen of the Year in 1989. He also supervised and replaced over 85 worn-down wooden bridges in Flathead County with new concrete piling and driving surfaces, which many of us drive over today; the last bridge being the Old Steel Bridge on Flathead River, and the bridge out of Polebridge that crosses over into Glacier National Park after forest fires had consumed the structure.

Safety was always Jack’s first priority in the workforce, while still maintaining enjoyment in his personal life as being a family man, adventurer, lover and prankster. He was always full of lots of shenanigans.

Jack enjoyed many activities, including bowling, card playing, eight ball pool tournaments, teaching his grandkids to water ski and sitting down with his family to eat supper with occasional taco eating contests. And don’t forget the big bowl of ice cream for dessert!

God bless that amazing man!

Jack was preceded in death by his parents, Lorene and Sam Lingle, stepfather Thomas Lanway, brother Eugene Haggerty, niece Cherri Barnes, father and mother-in-law Roy and Esther Commers, and brother-in-law Donald Commers.

He is survived by his wife Geraldine M. Lingle, sons Kent, Curt, and Cameron Lingle and Sheri, daughter Pamela Moser, son-in-law Chris Moser, sister-in-law Norma Commers, nephew Chris, niece Ginger, grandchildren Brianne LaCroix, Chris LaCroix, Brittany and Casey Cook, Kalin and Zach Brosten, Zach and Bobi Jo Lingle, Alisha Lingle, Jed and Cristina Moser, Christina Moser, Catherine Moser, Nicki Moser, Josh, Grace Lingle and 17 great-grandchildren.

Services will be held at Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home on Monday, July 11, at 2 p.m., with burial to follow at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery and luncheon from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Moose Lodge in Evergreen.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Jack and his family.