John Lindley Alwyn Douglas McLEAN

John Lindley Douglas McLean was born April 6, 1952, in Sydney, Australia, to Margaret Beryl Douglas and Lindley Alwyn McLean. The eldest of seven children, John enjoyed mingling with neighborhood kids and visiting nearby Clovelly and Coogee Beaches along Sydney's Eastern suburbs.

At the age of ten, John's family moved to Brisbane, Australia, where he gathered a strong network of friends, bonded by years of mischief, trips to the beach, rugby wounds and stealing pineapples from fruit trucks!

John liked swimming from an early age, which led to involvement in the Marcoola Surf Lifesavers Club. He played an active role in the club's early beginnings, serving as secretary for two years and club captain for four years. John encouraged and recruited both siblings and childhood friends to follow his lead.

John had an interest in electronics and engineering. His dismantling of various household gadgets was the first of many experiments at how things were put together and how they worked! At the end of tenth grade, John was awarded an academic scholarship to attend Queensland University of Technology, where he pursued studies in this field. He graduated in 1977 with a certificate in Electrical Engineering. In 1978, he was inducted into the Australian Institute of Engineering Associates. He worked for Tritronics, LTD in Brisbane, and the Brisbane City Council Traffic Engineering Dept.

John enjoyed rugby from an early age, playing on several teams throughout his youth, and later with the Billings Bulls Rugby Club. He was easily one of the best Props in Mont. If you wanted to tackle him, you would have needed to bring a friend.

John met his wife, Patty MacLeod, while backpacking through Europe in 1980. He moved to Billings July 5th 1981 and they were married the following September. They celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary this past Fall. Their family began with the births of Katie, followed by Allison, and Megan. John loved being a father and marveled at his little "ankle biters!" Girls perplexed him after growing up with mostly brothers, but he adapted and got used to dolls, Barbies and their "stuff" always under foot! He enjoyed watching tee-ball games, dance recitals, softball games, concerts and volleyball in addition to building snow kangaroos and various other activities. He was so proud of his girls.

For 14 years, John and Patty owned and operated an electronics business in downtown Billings. In 1997, John began working at Conoco Phillips. John felt he was respected for his knowledge and abilities, and always appreciated it. He worked in several capacities but his current title was Instrumentation/ Electrical Planner & Reliability Resource. John was well liked at work, not only for his goofy accent, but also for the camaraderie he shared with co- workers.

In addition to rugby, swimming, rafting and cycling, John loved to camp and fish. Some of his fondest memories included trips to various Montana Campgrounds with Patty, often joined by the girls and friends. He loved Camp Mimanagish on the Boulder River, as camper, chaperone or on work weekends.

John was active in Mayflower Congregational Church, worked on Habitat for Humanity houses, participated in the Big Sky State Games, and rode for charity in the MS 150 Bicycle Ride. He and Patty loved to travel; going to Europe and Australia several times.

John began the battle of his life, for his life, after an Appendix Cancer diagnosis in 2009. He tackled the disease head-on, bravely, and with hope, yet after two years of surgeries and grueling chemotherapy, the cancer continued to grow with no available treatment options. Time became valuable, so was spent camping, having family visit from Australia, and getting to know his friends and family just a little better. John outlived his prognosis by several months, which family, friends and medical personnel attribute to his strong heart and athleticism. His humor was present even in his final days. He wasn't supposed to make it to Halloween, let alone Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, or Australia Day (Jan. 26), but he did. John left us on Feb. 1, 2012. (As he used to say, "Pinch and a punch-white rabbits!")

John gave to others, and asked for nothing in return. He loved his family, from Billings to Canada to Australia and cherished his friends. His stories? Oh, the stories! His humor, laughter, sensitivity and wisdom will be sorely missed. He had a natural ability to engage people in conversation-even the shiest ones. Everyone remembered John-he made people feel worthwhile, without even trying.

Survived by John are his wife, best friend and soul mate Patty; daughters Katie (Chris) Bennett, Allison McLean (fiancé Sam Kazmierski), and Megan McLean; his brothers, sisters and spouses: Kevin Mclean, Bruce (Lynn) McLean, Greg (Cathy) McLean, Cynthia (Les) Marshall, David (Peta) McLean, Fabianne (Jeff) Keilly; sister's and brother's in law, Susan MacLeod and David Holt, Cathy and Jack Hareland, Mark MacLeod; Mother in law, Jean MacLeod. He was loved by 20 nieces and nephews. John was preceded in death by his parents; baby niece Abbie McLean; and father in law R.B."Mac" MacLeod.

Those wishing to honor John, can make donations to Riverstone Hospice, Mayflower Church (to be shared with Camp Mimanagish), the Billings Food Bank, or sent to the McLean family for the "Little Nippers" youth program at Marcoola Surf Lifesavers.

Our infinite gratitude goes to Dr. Katie Hatch, Dr. Patrick Cobb, Frontier Cancer Center, Riverstone Hospice and ConocoPhillips.

We were truly humbled during this journey, by all of you who walked beside us.

Dearest "Yohann" (my love forever), father, brother, and friend: G'Day Mate! We'll see you somewhere over the rainbow!

Memorial Services for John will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 7, at 1st Congregational United Church 310 N. 27th St with reception to follow. Arrangements are in the care of Dahl Funeral Chapel.

PHOTOGRAPHS

Permission to Leave Australia