By HDN Staff
JOHN LABONTY
KALISPELL John "Jack" LaBonty, 79, died of natural causes Saturday, Dec. 23, 2000 in Kalispell.
A memorial service was today at the Elks Club in Kalispell.
LaBonty was born June 7, 1921 in Munising, Mich. and served in the U.S. Navy for six years.
He worked for General Sheet Metal for many years, then went to work for the Flathead County Sheriff's Office in 1966 as a deputy sheriff. He retired from the sheriff's office in 1984 as a captain.
He married Viola Olson in Kalispell in 1956. She died in 1997.
LaBonty was a member of the Kalispell Elks Club 725 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
He enjoyed music and played drums in many combos, including the Company Brass, Big Mountain Dixie Land Band, Hungry Four and the Bus Foys Jazz Band throughout the Flathead Valley. He was a regular performer at the Elks Club in Kalispell until two months ago.
Survivors include his sons, John LaBonty of Glasgow and Dennis LaBonty of Logan, Utah; daughters, Linda LaBonty-Snyder of St. Ignatius; stepdaughter, Shirley Miller of Kalispell; four sisters; a brother; 11 grandchildren.
Johnson Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.
