Randolph 'Jack' Scott Lindsey, 80
Bonner County Daily Bee | UPDATED 3 years, 4 months AGO
Randolph “Jack” Scott Lindsey, 80, passed away in Spokane, Washington, on August 14, 2021.
Jack was born in Sagle, Idaho, on June 28, 1941, the son of Margaret Popovich and Randolph Lindsey. He moved with his mother and stepfather Tony Popovich to Rosyln, Washington, where he would live until 1956 when he moved to Sagle, Idaho, to live with his uncle Walt and aunt Joy Eldred.
With both his father and stepfather passing early in his life, Jack developed a strong bond with his uncles, Walt Eldred and Harp Turnbull, who acted as his father figures. Jack attended high school in Sandpoint and, upon graduation, worked in the woods in various jobs before enlisting in the U.S. Army. He was stationed at Fort Ord in California until his honorable discharge in 1963.
On Dec. 5, 1964, Jack and Linda Jacobson were married in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. They lived in Sagle until moving to Renton, Washington, where their son, Brian Scott, was born in 1967. After moving to Spokane, Washington, they would have a second son, Brad Michael, born in 1970.
Jack enjoyed sharing his passion for the outdoors with his sons during their annual trips to the Lochsa in central Idaho for elk hunts, their deer hunts with close family in Sagle, and their summer fly fishing trips to the St. Joe River.
Jack started his career in the boat industry around 1968 with Fiberform boats. He settled in as supervisor of the upholstery shop. He would make numerous lifetime friendships during his time in the boat industry, including John “Runt” Danly, Chuck Hill, Don Lynch, Bill “Pigpen” Tinsley, Larry “Bart” Malmoe, “Skipper” Bill Bongers, Michael “Stoney” Strand, Jayme Lyonnais, John Krause and Dave Grobe. After Fiberform was purchased by Bayliner, he would continue to ascend, eventually retiring as plant manager in 1992.
He would parlay his expertise and contacts in the boat industry into a side business doing boat rehabs to fund the outdoor activities of him and his boys. Jack took pride that they could have these outdoor activities paid for with his supplemental funds.
Jack discovered a new passion in retirement as he bought his pride and joy, a 1964 Chevrolet Impala SS from his close friend Sherry Trinkle, and he and Linda spent time showing the gem around the Northwest at car shows. He received countless car show awards pinnacled with the Late Great Chevy Western Nationals first place award.
As Linda joined Jack in retirement, their focus turned to their mutual love of lake fishing and Gonzaga basketball. They progressed from occasional visitors to seasonal residents of the resort at Koocanusa Lake in Libby, Montana. Their stays were fueled by the mutual love of wildlife, fishing and socializing with the other seasonal residents. In the winter time, they enjoyed following the Gonzaga basketball team as they were season ticket holders for the girls team and faithful watchers of the boys games on television.
Jack would take pride in continuing to “earn his keep” in his retirement years. He would live off income he earned from managing properties and performing handyman tasks. He took great pride in continuing to be productive well into his retirement years. Always known for his social skills, he was a daily patron of Donna’s Diner and enjoyed the social interaction with his “cronies.” He and Linda would enjoy attending weekly “Beer 30” sessions with friends and family at the Monkey Bar. Whether it was family or friends, Jack was always the first willing to help and the last to ask for help. This continued through his struggles in his final years as he battled with Parkinson’s.
During his final years, Jack’s cousin Arlene Vanhorn would devote her time to keeping him independent, running his errands, picking up his medication and doing his laundry. He maintained a sibling-like relationship with her throughout his life.
Jack also had a lifetime big brother relationship with his younger cousins Gaea Counts, Danny Bartro and Sydney Moran. He would give Gaea away at her wedding.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Bill; sister, Arlene “Sis” Riffle; and grandson, Padon. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Linda; sons, Brian and Brad; daughters-in-law, Brenda and Deena; and grandsons, Kevin and Garrett; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends around the Northwest.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. on Sept. 25, 2021, at Hazen &Jaeger Valley Funeral Home, 1306 N Pines Road, Spokane Valley, Washington. A celebration of life is planned for family and friends at 2:30 p.m. on Sept. 25 at Sagle Community Hall.