Jay Wartnow
Jay “J.P” Patrick Wartnow, 68, passed away Aug. 26, 2007, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center, after a five-month battle with brain cancer.
Jay (frequently referred to as J.P. to friends) was born July 17, 1939, on the same farm where he resided until the time of his death on JP Road in Whitefish.
He attended school in Whitefish. In 1956, he left for the National Guard, where he began service as a cannoneer in the 639th Field Artillery. From there, he enlisted in the Navy as a radioman third class on the USS Lowe, a destroyer escort radar ship.
In addition, Jay served on the USS Nautilus, which was the Navy’s first commissioned nuclear-powered submarine. The USS Nautilus accomplished “the impossible” at that time, which was to reach the geographic North Pole.
Jay also had the honor of carrying the flag during President Eisenhower’s inauguration. He often joked with his grandchildren that he lost his shoe during the inaugural march but kept on walking. He was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1959 due to tuberculosis contracted in service.
Jay married Patricia Jo Ann Rush on Nov. 11, 1958, in Seattle. After his discharge from the Navy, Jay and Pat moved their family back to Whitefish and they raised their four children near City Beach. Across the street lived his older brother and best friend, George, and his wife, Billie.
During this time, Jay worked at Plum Creek Timber Co. and served as deputy sheriff. He helped investigate the 1967 grizzly bear attacks in Glacier National Park, which later became the subject of the Jack Olsen’s book “Night of the Grizzlies.”
In 1971, Jay began a career with the Burlington Northern Railroad as a switchman, working his way up to engineer in 1978. He retired from Burlington Northern in 2001, having made many longtime friends during his tenure with the railroad.
Jay had a great love for the outdoors and his horses. He was a talented horseman, winning many awards, most notably the MCHA Rookie of the Year award. He also won the 20,000 Amateur Champion on his cutting horse Lucky Bottom. Jay tuned “Lucky” himself, a rare feat for an amateur.
Jay was preceded in death by his parents, John and Julia Wartnow; his brothers Bobby and John; and his sister Alice.
He is survived by his wife of nearly 50 years, Pat; three sisters and one brother; daughter Sherry Hayman and husband Robert, of Seattle; daughter Teri Kohli, of Hutchinson, Minn.; son Jay Wartnow and wife Beth, of Billings; daughter Carie Oney-Gress, of Kalispell; and grandchildren Casey Oney, of Portland, Evan Kohli, of Hutchinson, Mack Turnrose, of Seattle, Tayler Gress, of Columbia Falls, Julia Dietel, of Hutchinson, and Kellen and Addison Wartnow, of Billings.
A memorial service was held Aug. 31, 2007, at Austin Funeral Home in Whitefish.
The family suggests memorial donations be directed to Hospice of Kalispell Regional Medical Center, which provided exceptional care and compassion for Jay and his family.