John "Jack" Labrie, 92

"At this stage in my life, I have moved from being a 'giver' to being a 'receiver'." Jack Labrie offered his perspective shortly before his passing on June 23, 2026, at the age of 92.

Jack was born to Joseph and Josephine (Kountz) Labrie on February 15, 1934, their fifth child. After his birth and early years in Long Beach, California, the Labrie family returned to Montana and settled on the family farm near Whitehall, ready to "make a million" in the potato farming business. Jack recalled, "I was here on a farm in Montana with horses, milk cows, cattle, chickens, bum lambs, deer, porcupines, rattlesnakes, foxes, owls, dogs, a river that runs through the place; all a young boy's dream. But wait, I have to milk that cow, feed the lambs, chickens, and horses - work!"

After high school in Whitehall, Jack served in the U.S. Army in South Korea and then graduated from Montana State University (Bozeman) with bachelor's degrees in agricultural and mechanical engineering. He later acquired his professional engineering license, and after a short time with Montana Power Company, he began a long career in the food industry with Carnation Company (later acquired by Nestle), which based him in California. In their retirement years, Jack and Linda enjoyed traveling the world and spending their summers and falls in Absarokee, Montana.

While at MSU, he met Linda Holliday, and three months later, they were engaged. Married in 1963, they raised their family in Glendale/La Canada, California. Jack was a devoted and fun-loving father. He was always ready to lovingly support his children throughout their lives. He also loved to lead them on wild adventures up a mountain or down a ravine (through poison oak). He was a committed Catholic and a master catechist in the Los Angeles Archdiocese. He had great respect for all faith traditions and an eternal curiosity about others. He lived his faith. If he became aware of someone in need, he would do whatever he could to help. He sat at the bedside of the sick, welcomed the homeless into our home, and gave more than one car to people in need. He worked the warmline for the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill San Gabriel Valley, was active in La Canada at St. Bede's Church and Kiwanis, and volunteered for MEND (Meet Each Need with Dignity) of the San Fernando Valley. Empathy and hospitality were hallmarks of Jack's life.

He is survived by his daughter Jacquelyn Labrie (Pasadena, CA), daughter Jenae (Tim) Labrie-Smith (Encinitas, CA), grandson Benjamin Labrie-Smith, granddaughter Haley Labrie-Smith, great-granddaughter Kinsley, great-grandson Teddy, granddaughter Hannah (Labrie-Smith) Case (Griffen), great-grandson Palmer, and son Joseph (Kathleen) Labrie (Appleton, WI), granddaughter Maia Labrie, grandson Justin Labrie, granddaughter Nicole Labrie, and granddaughter Josephine Labrie.

A Celebration of Jack's Life will be held at Saint Mary's Catholic Church in Columbus, Montana, on Friday, July 10, 2026, at 10:30 AM. Jack will be laid to rest at Mountain View Cemetery in Columbus, Montana, followed by a reception for family and friends.