John “Jack” Gross Lindenmeyer, 84, of Bedford, Iowa, beloved husband and best friend of Phyllis Carol Suffridge Lindenmeyer for 54 years, passed away peacefully on December 2, 2013.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Caroline “Carrie” Lindenmeyer of Terry, Montana; his sister Florence Lindenmeyer of Terry, Montana; his brother Howard Lindenmeyer of Glendale, California; his brother Robert Lindenmeyer of Terry, Montana; and his daughter, Linda Ann Bolton of Lake Tahoe, California.
Jack was born in Terry, Montana on August 18, 1929, where he lived most of his early life. As a child, he helped out on the family farm and loved to play basketball and football with his friends. His third grade teacher was especially hard on him, as he was taught by his sister that year. He rode his horse out on the farm, and was known to carry his 22 rifle with him everywhere he went to use for hunting rabbits and rattle snakes. Jack participated in multiple sports in high school and was a 1947 graduate of Terry High School.
After graduating from high school, Jack spent one year at Montana State University, before returning home to help on the family farm, when his dad became sick. After things stabilized at home, Jack joined the US Air Force, eventually reaching the rank of Staff Sergeant, and it was there that he learned the trade that he would pursue as a career.
After being honorably discharged from the US Air Force, Jack moved to the Los Angeles area to live with his brother, Howard. It was there, in 1957, that he would meet and later marry the love of his life, Phyllis Suffridge. Jack and Phyllis married in 1959 and raised five children in the Southern California town of Anaheim.
In 1958, while attending the University of Southern California, Jack took a job in the Engineering Department at Hughes Aircraft Company in El Segundo, California. He graduated from USC in January of 1960, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering. In December of 1960, he received a diploma from the Institute of Radio Engineers in New York City, New York.
While raising their five children, Jack was involved with numerous organizations, including the Barton Elementary Boosters, recognized as Man of the Year for his continued service; Pop Warner football boosters; Little League Baseball, with all three sons, coaching or managing a team each year; Bobby Sox Softball, with both daughters; high school sports boosters; Chamber Singer Boosters, serving as president; and the YMCA Indian Guides, with all three sons, serving as nation chief on two occasions – his was the eight foot teepee with wall-to-wall red shag carpeting.
Jack worked for Hughes Aircraft Company for 26 years, and retired in August of 1984 to start Lindenmeyer Electronics Incorporated, LEI, a company that he would run and maintain until his passing. Jack was an expert in the field of electromagnetic compatibility and interference, and worked in that field as a consultant, analyzing steel shield constructions through radio frequency testing.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging, MRI, was an industry that was in its infant stages when Jack started consulting in 1984, which enabled him to be actively involved in the design and development of some of the industries early standards. His company was involved in testing about one hundred MRI shields across the USA each year, and was called upon frequently to find and fix problem areas at many other locations worldwide. One client stated that, “there will be no replacing Jack in this industry, as few people understand the radio frequency technology the way that he did. He will be sorely missed!” Another client once said, “A lot of people have jobs because of Jack’s work in the MRI field.”
Left to cherish Jack’s memories are his son, John Lindenmeyer of Baldwin City, Kansas; his daughter, Carrie Stephens of Chino Hills, California; his son William “Bill” Lindenmeyer of Brea, California; and his son Steven Lindenmeyer of La Habra, California. Additionally, eighteen grandchildren and eight great grandchildren were “Papa Jack’s” pride and joy. Known for his quick wit and “dad-isms”, Jack brought joy and laughter to those around him.
Jack will be remembered for his humor, wit, and great love for his family.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 21, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Terry, MT. In keeping with the wishes of Jack and Phyllis, arrangements are being made to have the couples remains buried in the Lindenmeyer family plot in the Prairie County Cemetery in Terry, MT. The surviving Children are looking forward to one last trip to Montana. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
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Phyllis Carol Lindenmeyer, 80, of Chino Hills, California, beloved wife and best friend of John “Jack” Gross Lindenmeyer for 54 years, passed away peacefully on February 26, 2017.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Floyd and Betty Suffridge of Anaheim, California, her husband Jack Lindenmeyer of Bedford, Iowa, and her daughter, Linda Ann Bolton of Lake Tahoe, California.
Phyllis was born in Covington, Kentucky, on July 24, 1936, where she lived until age 4, when she and her parents moved to Los Angeles, California. At an early age, Phyllis showed an interest and aptitude for music, and gifted with an upright grand piano, began a love affair with music that would last until the day she died. Phyllis attended John Marshall High School, where she sang in the choir, sometimes assisting with piano accompaniment.
After graduating from high school, Phyllis worked for a temp agency, where she enjoyed a variety of temporary secretarial assignments, her favorites were those within the fashion district of Los Angeles. Her piano skills were put to use as church organist. In 1957, Phyllis was invited to a get-together in the home of fellow church members, Howard and Henrietta Lindenmeyer, where she met the love of her life, Jack Lindenmeyer. Jack and Phyllis married in 1959 and raised five children in the Southern California town of Anaheim.
While raising their five children, Jack and Phyllis were involved with numerous organizations, including the Barton Elementary Boosters, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Pop Warner football boosters, Little League Baseball, Bobby Sox Softball, high school sports boosters, Chamber Singer Boosters, and the YMCA Indian Guides. Though it was Jack who attended most booster meetings, it was Phyllis who sewed the patches on uniforms, sewed team banners, crafted centerpieces for family dinners and team banquets, sewed costumes, helped with book reports and English essays, and made sure that all six of her family members left for work or school on time and with lunch in hand.
In August of 1984, when Jack started Lindenmeyer Electronics Incorporated, LEI, Phyllis became vice president in charge of proofreading shielding effectiveness test reports, a task she continued until Jack’s passing in 2013. Phyllis enjoyed traveling with Jack to test sites throughout the United States and as far away as India, always bringing home a little something for the kids and grandkids.
In later years, her greatest joys were attending musical productions and sharing her love of crafting and sewing with her grandchildren.
Left to cherish Phyllis’s memories are her son, John Lindenmeyer of Baldwin City, Kansas; her daughter, Carrie Stephens of Chino Hills, California; her son William “Bill” Lindenmeyer of Brea, California; and her son Steven Lindenmeyer of La Habra, California. Additionally, eighteen grandchildren and eight great grandchildren were “Grandma Phyllis’s” pride and joy. Known for her music, crafting, and excellent potato salad, Phyllis brought joy to those around her.
Phyllis will be remembered for her music, her caring and gentle manner, and her great love for her family.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 21, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Terry, MT. In keeping with the wishes of Jack and Phyllis, arrangements are being made to have the couples remains buried in the Lindenmeyer family plot in the Prairie County Cemetery in Terry, MT. The surviving Children are looking forward to one last trip to Montana. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
10:30 a.m.
Saturday July 21, 2018
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
300 Spring Street
Terry , Montana 59349
Interment with Full Military Honors
Following the Memorial Service
Saturday July 21, 2018
Prairie County Cemetery
Cemetery Rd.
Terry, Montana 59349
Potluck/Picnic
Following the cemetery.
Saturday July 21, 2018
Murn Park
Terry, Montana 59349
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
10:30 a.m.
Saturday July 21, 2018
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
300 Spring Street
Terry , Montana 59349
Interment with Full Military Honors
Following the Memorial Service
Saturday July 21, 2018
Prairie County Cemetery
Cemetery Rd.
Terry, Montana 59349
Potluck/Picnic
Following the cemetery.
Saturday July 21, 2018
Murn Park
Terry, Montana 59349
Andy Pehl says
Dear John, Carrie, Bill and Steven— We plan to host as many of your family on the 21st that can come. Dad and Jack were best neighbors and friends from 1929 until 2015 and shared so much in common. We look forward to seeing you and want you to drive safe. Andy and Nancy Pehl and family