John Musser

John "Jack" Musser died of natural causes Feb. 26, 2006.

He was born Aug. 29, 1934, and raised in Fairmont, Minn. On Aug. 8, 1956, he married his high school sweetheart, Mary Lou Wade. He graduated from Chico State College in California with a master's in education.

John and Mary Lou settled and raised their family in Visalia, Calif. He taught school at Robert K. Meyers Boys Ranch and Juvenile Hall for 28 years and then retired to Star Meadows, near Whitefish.

John loved life and never took a day for granted. In addition to being a loving husband, father and role model, he filled his time with many and varied interesting pursuits. He loved wood and metal work, making wine, curing olives, making record-size raisins, along with hiking, hunting and fishing. He is famous for his Montana Tortilla Jerky.

John was one of the finest, nicest and most genuine persons you could ever meet. He was a great teacher, full of wisdom and had a wonderful wit and sense of humor. These are qualities that live on in his children and all the people he knew and influenced through his life.

John was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Esther Musser.

He is survived by his sister Mary Jo Lidke and her husband DuWayne; brother Bud and his wife Carolyn and twin brother Jim and his wife Gloria; daughter Tena and her husband JC Coulter; daughter Debbie and her husband Rick Tomlinson; daughter Sarah and her husband Steve Forner; and son Brian and wife Roxanne; nine grandchildren; one great grandchild (with two more great grandchildren expected this year); and many nieces and nephews.

A funeral mass was celebrated March 3, 2006, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Visalia, Calif.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Our Lady's Rosary Makers at St. Mary's Catholic Church or Post Polio Health International, 4207 Lindel Boulevard, Suite 110, St. Louis MO 63108-9816, or a charity of your choice.