John Wayne Lines passed away on Nov. 28, 2019. He was born to Milo Wade and Lena (Skousen) Lines on Aug. 2, 1941, in Mescalero, New Mexico. He graduated from Chandler High School in 1959, served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1960 – 1963 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and graduated from Arizona State University. It was while he was attending ASU that he was set up on a blind date with the woman he’d someday marry, Karen Eleanor Lee, daughter of Carl and Emma (Huber) Lee. They were married for eternity on Sept. 24, 1965, in the Mesa, Arizona Temple.
He was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and held many callings including Sunday School teacher, stake high counselor, young men’s, elders’ quorum, and high priest group leaderships, temple worker and bishop. He served in the U.S. Air Force as a pilot and then worked in the ranching, farming, and mining industries until he retired.
He is survived by his sons, David (Becky), Clay (Michelle), Joe (Alissa), Brad (Janae), J.T. (Mary), and Wayne (Amanda) Lines; daughters, Sherri (Jeremy) Jones, and Colleen Tarnutzer; 38 grandchildren; sister, Milene (Rich) Olson; brother, Tom (Gwen) Lines; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 53 years; his parents; grandson, Trever Lines; brother, Richard Lines; and sister-in-law, OnaDell (Ward) Lines. He loved learning all that he could in this life, but nothing gave him more joy than his family and testimony of his Savior, Jesus Christ.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, Dec. 5, at 10 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Solomonville Ward Building, 2249 S Stevens Ave., Solomon, Arizona. Viewings were held Wednesday, Dec. 4 from 5 – 7 p.m. at McDougal’s Caldwell Funeral Chapel 112 E Main St, Safford, and again prior to services Thursday from 9-9:45 a.m. in Solomon. Interment will follow services and will be in the Thatcher Cemetery.
Arrangements are under the direction of McDougal’s Caldwell Funeral Chapel & Gila Valley Crematory. Online condolences may be extended at www.caldwellfuneralchapel.com.
