John C. (Jack) Wilson passed away at home on Oct. 8, 2008, after a 12-year battle with prostate cancer.

John was a man of highest integrity. Those who came to know him regarded him as an honorable, intelligent man with a wonderful sense of humor. A deeply compassionate man, John especially cherished his wife, daughters, grandchildren and sons-in-law, and they all deeply cherished, respected and loved him.

John was born to Bliss C. and Lulu Wilson on Sept. 24, 1924, in Mitchell, S.D. He graduated as the valedictorian from Letcher High in 1942. With the military obligation of World War II confronting him, John preempted his college plans by enlisting in the Army Air Corps in January of 1943. Recovering from a potentially fatal bout of spinal meningitis he contracted in boot camp, John resolved to finish a commitment he made to graduate from the Air Force pre-meteorology program. Upon successful completion of the meteorology program, John was assigned to Gowen Field in Boise, Idaho. Two months later the Air Force transferred him to Gore Field in Great Falls. After an epic and circuitous trip that took him across the Pacific Ocean, then to Australia, up to India, and across Burma, John arrived at Chickiang, China. In this remote section of China he was assigned the task of instructing Chinese Nationalists in the science of weather observation. John was honorably discharged in the spring of 1946.

In 1948 John received his bachelor's degree in economics. He also married the love of his life, Laurel Paterson, with whom he would share over 60 years of marriage.

Shortly after graduation John began working for the South Dakota State Health Department as a statistician. With the exception of the period of time he took off to obtain his master's degree from the University of Minnesota, John worked for the state of South Dakota from 1948 to 1954. It was during this time that John and Laurel had their three daughters.

His expertise as a statistician for the state of South Dakota resulted in a job offer as the state registrar for the Montana Board of Health. John, Laurel and the girls moved to Montana in December of 1954. During the next 33 years with the Montana Department of Health (now known as DPHHS), John's position evolved, and he became the head of the Bureau of Vital Statistics.

John was a dedicated and hard-working state employee, yet he always made time for his family and community. John took the family on numerous camping trips and picnics, loved running, cross-country skiing, hiking, square dancing, attending all his daughters' and grandchildren's school activities, jazz festivals, many church activities, a morning coffee group and activities at the Elks. He served on St. Peter's Hospital board of directors, taught classes at Carroll College and volunteered for the Talking Books project.

John is survived by his wife, Laurel; daughters, Patty (Bob) Balhiser of Helena, Mary (Hal) Jacobson of Helena; Nancy Wilson of Missoula; brother, Kentner (Nancy) Wilson of Albuquerque, N.M; grandchildren, Ryan (Laurie) Foley of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, C.J. (Heather) Foley of Missoula, and Madeline and Whitney McKiddy of Missoula.

As a charter member of the Plymouth Congregational Church, John had requested memorials be sent to the church. Memorials could also be sent to Hospice of St. Peters, or a charity of the donor's choice. Cremation has taken place. A funeral service, with a luncheon following, will be held Oct. 16, at 11 a.m. at the Plymouth Congregational Church.