MISSOULA - John Michael Kolendich, 47, of Trabuco Canyon, Calif., passed away Monday, Sept. 22, 2003, at his family home in Missoula, in the arms of his loving wife, Kathleen, with his children by his side. Our beloved John fought so gallantly in his battle with cancer. He did not lose this fight, but instead went triumphantly to glory, fully restored to the man we all knew and loved, sitting today in the presence of God.

John was born in Missoula on Nov. 11, 1955, to Frank and Evelyn Kolendich. He went to Hawthorne Grade School, where he met his best friend, Bob Pettit and graduated from Missoula Sentinel High School in 1974. He attended the University of Montana and was a lifelong Grizzly fan. John, like his older brothers and sister, thoroughly enjoyed sports during his youth. He worked at Hermie's Drive-In during his high school years before moving on to Bob Ward & Sons. John moved to Southern California in 1978, where he managed the Men's Clothing Department at Robinson's Department Store. In 1980, he joined his brother Matt in owning and operating Valley Building Materials. Their business is now one of the largest masonry supply yards in Southern California with two locations in Lake Forest and Yucaipa, Calif. John regarded his employees as part of his extended family.

John met Kathleen McMillin in 1984, and they were married on March 24, 1990, in Kennewick, Wash. His proudest achievement was his three beautiful children, Johnny, 10, Nicholas, 9, and Katherine, 5. John was an avid golfer and spent the last few years enjoying his children's many activities. He recently fulfilled his dream of building a log cabin on Swan Lake for his family and friends to enjoy. One of John's primary passions was to make a real difference in people's lives. He learned his compassion from his parents, who would help anyone in need. Over the years, John and Matt have had an annual charity golf tournament for the purpose of raising funds for various charities. The charities have included Operation Santa Claus to benefit Orangewood Children's Home, Byron Scott's Challenge for Children's Fund and HomeAid Orange County, which provides housing for the homeless, AIDS patients and battered women and children. In May of 2003, he was one of 10 men honored in Orange County by the Boy Scouts of America as a Man of Character.

John was preceded in death by his father Frank in 2000. He is survived by his loving family, wife Kathleen; sons Johnny and Nicholas; and daughter Katherine; his mother, Evelyn; sister Gail and husband Tom Reidy; brother Frank and wife Toni Kolendich; brother Matt and wife Lisa Kolendich.

Funeral services will be on Friday, Sept. 26, at 11 a.m., at Christ the King Catholic Church, Missoula.

The family suggests donations be made to Hospice of Missoula, 800 Kensington, Suite 209, Missoula, MT 59801, or HomeAid Orange County, 17744 Sky Park Circle, Irvine, CA 92614.

John will be greatly missed by all those who knew and loved him.

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