John Shea

John J. Shea, 75, of Missoula, passed away peacefully on Friday, Jan. 15, 2016, at home surrounded by family and friends. Born in Anaconda on July 30, 1940, to John P. and Mary Shea. John lived in Anaconda until the age of 55 at which point he retired from the Montana Power Company after 33 years, to move to Missoula and marry his best friend, and love of his life, Marlys.

John and Marlys celebrated 20 plus years of marriage since committing to one another on June 24, 1995.

John graduated from the Montana Tech School of Mines and Engineering with and major in English in 1975.

John was known for being a light-hearted gentle yet determined and progressive leader at the local, state and national levels. He was a former Anaconda-Deer Lodge County commissioner, area legislator and a tireless champion for disability rights – traveling to Japan, Washington, D.C., and Helena. John brought curb cuts, ramp access to Anaconda long before the ADA act was signed into law in 1990. John started working for the Montana Power Company in 1962 where he helped the company move into the 20th century, which he maintained the special data based used in connection with the alarm system for the company's microwave sites around the state. John was a life long learner spending hours every day on his computer researching the stock market, reading about issues of the world and engaging in intellectual conversations with anyone who was willing to. He took legal classes, cooking classes and numerous MOLLI courses at the University of Montana. His personal determination and sense of respectability made all this possible despite a severely debilitating injury which left him paralyzed and using a wheelchair for more than 56 years after a car wreck.

John loved and enjoyed life. In spite of his physical limitations, he did many things that would have tested the bodies of many able bodied persons. In his early life he enjoyed downhill skiing, whitewater river rafting and other outdoor activities. He was a fierce fan of the Montana Griz football team, attending home games since 1970, with his last home game attended in August.

John is preceded in death by both parents and his brother Con. John will deeply be missed by those who survive him including his wife Marlys; brothers, Dan and Mike; sisters Bridgie, Mary Pat, Margie and Eileen. John has many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews – all who dearly love him.

Cremation has taken place. A celebration of John's life will take place at Marlys and John's home on John's birthday (July 30, 2016). Mark your calendars now, and plan to join us.

John has asked that part of his ashes be spread at Magic Island in Hawaii where he and Marlys took 21 trips and were planning to take another in the spring.

Memorial can be sent to Hospice of Missoula, 800 Kensington, Missoula, MT 59801.


Read John Shea's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.