More detail on this person: Only the lucky get
to die with their wading boots on; John Clifton
Bartlett was one such man. He passed away
Tuesday evening, Sept. 4, 2012, steps away from
the Montana wilderness that he so loved.
John was born Dec. 7, 1947, the treasured first
son of John and Edith Bartlett.
He lived life with such love and passion that his
heart wore out in just 64 years. A man of many
talents, John was a poet, a singer, a fisherman, a
hunter, and a true friend. He simply loved life
and lived with intensity, humor and joy.
John was a proud member of the 1st of the 9th
Cavalry Division Apache troop and served with
honor in Vietnam. "Bloody Bart" flew Cobra
gunships, earning many medals including a Purple
Heart, Distinguished Flying Cross, and a Silver
Star. He loved his brothers in combat and enjoyed
their company until the day he died.
During his 30-year career as a railroad engineer
he enjoyed seeing the mountains and animals, and
subjecting his captive co-workers to his political
expertise.
He relished retirement with his wife of 42 years,
his high school sweetheart, Billie Welsh Bartlett.
Together, they shared many laughs and smiles
through their RV adventures visiting friends. He
especially loved his recent fishing trip to Alaska
with cherished high school friends, Mike Jenson,
Chet Wram and Dave Bilant, and his many hours of
lake, river and field time with them and with
Julio Delgado and Greg Osler.
John pestered and advised his beloved younger
siblings, Jim and Jan, enough to last the rest of
their lives. Jim Bartlett and his wife Linda, and
Jan Majerus and her husband Larry have many
stories to share, and John's kids and grandkids
are eager to listen. John's biggest and best
legacies are in the lessons he taught.
Dana Bartlett Hull hopes that her children, Logan
and Lindy, will inherit her dad's ability to
debate (after they leave home). His daughter, Dani
Bartlett Harmon, and her husband, Josh, along with
their sons, Tanner and Jordan, will strive to
emulate his generosity and selflessness. His son,
John W. Bartlett, John's wife, Kelly, and their
children, Elia and JJ, will try to embody his
uncompromising strength of will and his ability to
battle through adversity. And his daughter, Darby
Bartlett McConaughey, and her husband, Eric, will
no doubt keep his legacy of laughter alive by
sharing his wit, sarcasm and humor with all those
they meet. His wife, Billie, will honor his memory
by continuing to share their deep love with the
family.
Few people have an impact on the world like John
Bartlett. Athlete, academic, hunter, pilot,
fisherman, hero, brother, husband, father,
granddad, friend; he wore each role as if it was
the only thing that mattered in that moment. He
will be missed.
In honor of John, please join us in a celebration
of life at 5 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 10, at Grouse
Mountain Lodge to share hors d'oeuvres and
stories. If you would also like to share donations
in John's name, please donate to the local VFW or
the Whitefish Community Library.
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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