Posted: 06/14/09

Jonathan "Jon" Alvin LaSalle, 46, left his earthly body behind to join his beloved father for eternity on Monday, May 18, 2009, at his home in Granada Hills, Calif., when he lost a most valiant battle with chondra sarcoma cancer of the bone.

Jon was born Nov. 14, 1962, to Patrick Leon LaSalle and Clarette Colleen Tafolla LaSalle at St John's Hospital in Helena. He spent all of his young life in Helena and attended Warren and Jefferson Elementary Schools, Helena Junior High and graduated from Helena High School in 1980, completing the 12 year courses in 11 years.

In June 1980, Jon began a six-year enlistment in the U.S. Navy's nuclear/

electrical program serving on the USS Arkansas, completing two around the world cruises. He was honorably discharged in August 1986. Jon then moved to California where he worked as a commercial electrician in Orange and Los Angeles counties. As a member of the IBEW Local 11, he rose to a master electrician and worked for Sasco Electric on such projects as the Getty Museum and Disney Animation. He then became a general foreman for Unison Electric until taking disability leave for a hip replacement in June 2008. On May 25, 1996, he married Christine Louise Melvin in Lake Tahoe, Nev. She is also employed as an electrician.

Jon was preceded in death by his father on Oct. 2, 2006.

Survivors include his wife, Christine; and their sons, Dalen Patrick and Tanner James, of the family home; and his daughter, Cheyenne Skye LaSalle, 19. Other survivors include his mother, Clarette Martin, and his stepmother, Sandi LaSalle, both of Helena. Also surviving is his sister, Tina LaSalle Whitaker of Helena; his half-sisters, Barbara LaSalle of Helena and Suzi LaSalle Jackson (Matt) of Chandler, Ariz.; and his stepsister, Candi Mullenbach (Steve) of Helena. Two maternal aunts, Carolyn (Scott) Truscott and Martine Tafolla, also reside in Helena. His paternal aunts are Bonnie (Mark) Stevens and Rita LaSalle of Helena; Judy (Jimmy) Pierce of Trenton, Texas, Carol Wilks of Gladstone, Ore., and Edwina (Virgil) Jenkins of Medford, Ore. He leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews; as well as, grand-nieces and grand-nephews.

Jon was a gifted musician and songwriter. The band that he formed while in the Navy continued to practice in the Granada Hills garage that he had transformed into a recording studio and then performed locally some weekends into the 1990s. His quick wit and artistic ability were evident in his cartoons, for which he won awards during high school. His other hobbies were golf, softball, photography and reading.

The celebration of Jon's life will be held on Saturday, June 20, at 11:30 a.m., at the Rocky Mountain Church of Christ (RMCC), which is located behind the Base Camp (Broadway) and across from Mediterranean Grill (Park Ave.), at 38 Dunphy Block. Interment of his ashes will be at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery with military funeral honors and a reception will follow at the Fort Harrison Service Club. The family suggests that memorials in Jon's name could be sent to We Spark, a family cancer support organization (www.wespark.org), or to a charity of one's choice.