John P. Poston, Sr., passed away at his residence near Helena on June 3 at the age of 85. A lifelong resident of Montana, John was born in Anaconda where he grew up with his three older brothers and three older sisters. A high school honor roll student and a member of the Chemistry and Social Studies clubs, he went on to earn his bachelor’s degree at the University of Montana as well as his Juris Doctor diploma. He was a member of the Montana State Bar for decades and an avid Grizzly supporter. John was the first member of his family to attend college and receive a graduate degree. John then moved to Helena and worked at the Highway Department before setting up his own firm with two friends from law school, Tom Harrison and Jerry Loendorf. In the early 1980s, John, along with his first wife, Joan Stenger Poston, helped found the Valley Bank of Helena. He served as the bank’s Chairman for several years.
John was a highly respected member of several national conservation organizations, including Ducks Unlimited, where he served in many leadership roles at the national level, and the Boone and Crockett Club, where he was elected an Honorary Life Member.
An enthusiastic fisherman and hunter, he proudly displayed his “Grand Slam” of mounted sheep. John was a high school weightlifter and took up distance running later in life. He ran the Governor’s Cup Marathon, both individually and on relay teams, and served as a member of the organizing committee for the Cup for many years.
In 1998, John married a second time, his high school sweetheart, Joan Duffy. They were together until Joan’s passing in 2022. John enjoyed the later years of his life at his home at Hauser Lake with his dogs and cats.
He is survived by his two daughters, Kaye and Sandy, and his son, John; his step-daughter Helen, his four grandchildren, Sandra, Sean, Katka, and Max; his step-grandchildren Bo, Josie, Ellie, Charles, and Angus; his step-great grandchildren Rainier, Penelope, and Oliver; numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews; his three dogs, Duffy, Purl, and Elway; and his two cats, Conrad and Knot-tail.
A memorial service is being planned for later this month.
The family requests in lieu of flowers please consider making a contribution to the University of Montana.
Service Schedule
Service Schedule
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Michelle McGuire says
Kaye, Sandy, & John,
I am so sorry for the loss of your father. I have so many wonderful memories of all of us at Swan Lake! Especially the summer we helped your dad build the floating dock! 🙂 My deepest sympathy & prayers to all. 💗 Michelle
Bill Coddington says
John was a wonderful man with a great sense of humor. I spent many hours with him on the Governor’s Cup committee. We did good things and had a lot of fun together. RIP John.
Bob and Dawn McCullough says
John was truly an honest and honorable man. He was good friends with my wife’s dad and helped us navigate through some legal issues, refusing any pay. I enjoyed the many hunting stories he shared with me over the years. May he rest in peace.