John Synness, a fourth-generation Helenan, passed away peacefully in his sleep on the morning of November 14, after 87 years of a life well-lived. John will be remembered for his indefatigable work ethic; his consistent honesty, integrity and class; and his loving devotion to his family. He possessed a quiet strength of character, matched only by his magnificent physical prowess. John Synness had a unique quality of always looking for the best in everyone, he believed in giving everyone a chance, and he was able to turn almost any negative into a positive.
The last surviving member of his family’s generation, John was the great grandson of Norwegian immigrants Andreas and Magnhild Synnes, who homesteaded the Basin Ranch on the other side of North Hill in 1879, and the grandson of Ole and Maggie Synnes, who homesteaded at the base of Beartooth Mountain (now known as the Sleeping Giant) in 1893.
John Harlan Synness was born in the lower North Hills on May 26, 1936, the fifth child of Otis and Margaret (Damson) Synness. He grew up on the family’s ranch on the north of Lake Helena Drive in the East Helena Valley, with sisters Margie and Mary, and brothers Bud, Wes and Fred.
He attended Harmony Schoolhouse and Bryant Elementary, before graduating from Helena High School in 1954. After graduation John went to work for the State Water Board, followed by the Corps of Engineering packing bentonite into ditches. He served in the Montana Army National Guard from 1955-1964, attaining the rank of sergeant.
Beginning in the late 1950s he started his affiliation with brother Wes’s Synness Auto Wrecking. Over the next 60-plus years, he operated the mechanic garage and parts yard – eventually owning his part of the business – on Hiway 12 East. A straight-up, hard-workin’ man that always had a lot of irons in the fire – John was saying “Just do it!” long before the expression became vogue – he was out mechanicing, hauling transmissions around and parting vehicles out well into his 70s, until health issues forced him into retirement.
In early 1961, he met a young gal from Polson, named Karen Rae Spence. It was “love at first sight” according to Karen, and six months later they were married, on September 26, 1961. The couple went on to parent four children; Prudence (1962), Scott (1963), Sheryl (1966) and Stacey (1970).
He built their Sleeping Giant cabin in 1962, and in 1978 the family moved from their house trailer next to the shop, into their newly constructed home on the hill overlooking the property.
John’s hobbies included hunting, snowmobiling (he was a member of the Helena Snow Drifters in the ’70s and ’80s), roasting a pig on a barbecue spit, horseback riding and trail rides. But his number one passion (besides work and his family) was the lifetime of hunting camps he shared across the state of Montana, he with brothers Bud and Wes. Those places included Hell Roaring (where he harvested his moose), Spanish Peaks, Cabin Creek, Mike Renning Gulch, Beartooth Game Range, Buffalo Fork Mission Range, Bob Marshall, Cook City, Lake Abundance, The Danaher Benchmark over Hodley Pass, Northfork of the Blackfoot, Scapegoat Wilderness, Cooper’s Lake and Indian Meadows near Lincoln.
His favorite horse was Jigs, and his favorite dogs were Roscoe, Coda and Fritz.
As a mentor to his offspring and grandchildren, he instructed the following generations (boys and girls), how to shoot a gun, hunt, dig post holes, saddle a horse, chop firewood, drive a car, change a tire and be independent. John taught them to learn dangerous activities carefully, and to never let fear hold them back. He didn’t want them stuck in a bubble, he pushed them to get out and learn from their mistakes. He loved treating the kids to root beer float parties, providing them a disabled bus to play in, and dropping whatever he was doing to help them out of a jam.
John was predeceased by his parents; and siblings Margie, Mary, Bud, Wes and Fred. He is survived by his widow Karen; children Prudence (Cary), Scott (Katie), Sheryl and Stacey (Jenine); and grandchildren Sabrina, Angela, Johnny, Kyle, Kati, Kody, Kari, Lindsey, Christopher, Kelsey, McKenzie and Spencer; and his 17 great grandchildren, each of whom are seventh-generation Montanans.
John’s Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, December 9, at 2:00 pm, at the Helena Community Center in the East Helena Valley.
Service Schedule
Celebration of His Life
2:00 p.m.
Saturday December 9, 2023
Helena Community Center
3553 Tizer Rd.
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Celebration of His Life
2:00 p.m.
Saturday December 9, 2023
Helena Community Center
3553 Tizer Rd.
Helena, Montana 59602
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Vonnie Jenkins says
I’m so sorry for your loss. John was a great man!
Kevin Bartsch says
Sorry to hear of John’s passing. I spent many hours as a kid chasing around the junk yard scrounging for parts with my Dad. He really enjoyed getting parts from John (as did I tagging along!) We took quite a few cars to John after their useful life was over. They might be bantering back and forth right now! RIP John.
Joann smith says
So sorry for your loss and the loss of another Helena icon Johnny was a great man I have countless memeories of Wes and Johnny and the wreckin yard. Go rest high on that mountain John you deserve it.
Claudia E. Thomas says
And so ends a generation of siblings with the passing of Uncle John. Prayers for all the children, grandchildren and dear Karen – may the Lord comfort all of you during this time of grief, knowing you will be reunited one day in a place where there is no more illness, tears, and where we are surrounded by perfect love and joy. Ever in my heart.
Curtis Stanghill says
Sorry for your loss. Junkyard memories. Prayers for the family
Brad Bomar says
Sorry for your loss. I remember looking for car parts when I was a kid.
Niel Helfert says
I always enjoyed visiting with John whenever we needed parts. He was a great guy. RIP John
Gerald crum says
I loved shopping for pars at synness wrecking yard .love visiting with the guys . sorry to hear that about John’s passing.
Cj says
My deepest condolences to John’s family! John was always there for me and helped me with parts for my cars. as a single parent I so appreciated him and sorry I didn’t tell him! RIP John
Dan and Flo Jenkins says
So sorry for your loss. Our hearts are with you at this most difficult time. RIP John!
Tom Juhl says
So sorry to hear about John’s passing,in my younger years I bought a lot oh car parts from Johnny,a great man with a great smile I’ll miss you John……..R.I.P.
Steve McCall says
So sorry to hear, John was always good to me, anytime I went to the yard I always delt with John. He was an honest man!
R.I.P. John and may the families find peace.
Marv St Clair says
John was an amazing man! A shirttail relative, our grandma’s, both Damsons, were sisters. Uncle Johnny was a man’s man, always there, and willing to help. Spent a little ‘extra’ time at the yard during my own parents struggles, he always had solid advise. He was a great guy! I enjoyed our short visits with he, Karen, and family when I got the chance to be there in Helena. I’ll miss him. Condolences to all the family!
Jackie Lloyd says
Karen and family,
Im, So sorry to hear about John, we had so much fun snowmobiling with your family and ours about 29 years ago. Keep the memories.
Hugs,
Jackie Lloyd
I’m in Yuma for the winter.
Teresa Menicucci says
Karen and family, my heart is with you during this time of loss.
diana nigon says
I’m sorry for your loss, Karen.
Roy moreno says
I remember going with my dad to his wrecking yard to have him work on our 1954 Chevy or to get parts he need when I was in high school I go an to see John to get an axle for the 54 I was amazed how you would ask him about a part and he would go into an old beat up shed where here stored parts that had the year an make of the vehicles they went to write with white tire chalk on them or he would tell right where cars were in the junk yard that I needed parts off of he always had a smile he will be missed RIP JOHN in the wrecking yard Heaven
Ron Weber says
When I was a teenager, looking for help with my first stock car, a 1967 chevelle, that had been in a fire, John was there for me. He agreed to help me as a sponsor. Without his help, I may not have been able to get that first car out to the speedway. Over the years he helped me as much as he could, and in the process became a good friend. I would stop by and talk just to talk with John. I will miss having you as a friend but I am a better person for having known you. Rest peacefully John.
Greg Synness says
Many memories over the years hunting, snowmobiling and working at the ranch with Uncle John. He taught me many things about horses and how to care for them. R.I.P.
Scott St. Clair says
Condolences to Karen and the entire Synness family. There is never a time that I pass the Sleeping Giant or pass the Giants nose while fishing the river that I do not think of the Synness family. My family always referred to that generation of as uncles and aunts. John was one of a kind, he will be missed by many. I don’t think there was ever a hospital stay for me that his lovely wife Karen never poked her head in the door to check on me. I remember Prudy being so supportive with my mother’s passing. John and Karen were always a loving, caring, inspirational, giving couple, they will always be remembered. RIP Uncle John you certainly deserve it. Scott
David Ryan says
I’ve known John since I joined the Guard in 1958. Always looked forward to visiting with him. Sorry for your loss and I know I will miss him!