John Ray Wirth, Sr. was born on February 22nd, 1951 in Louisville, Kentucky to Martin Wirth and Mildred Kumpf. He passed away March 1st, 2017, one week after his 66th birthday surrounded by family in Helena, Montana.
John grew up in Louisville, KY, the youngest of five children. He was raised in the Park Hill area, southwest of downtown Louisville, where he grew to love basketball, fishing and outdoors activities. Many summers were spent with his uncle Johnny learning to fish and traveling across the East Coast. It was during this time that he was first inspired to explore and learn as much as he could about other people and cultures, and the world around him.
When he was 19 John met and married Helen Whitaker of Helena, MT in Fort Knox, KY, and they started a family in Louisville. In his twenties, he took a job at Tube Turns, where he worked closely with his older brother Butch for many years. It was here that he laid the groundwork for his future career as a successful team leader and salesman. In 1978 John started working with American Saw & Manufacturing (Lenox), ultimately moving into a prominent sales position. For the next twenty-five years John enjoyed a highly successful career with Lenox, winning multiple sales awards, and building invaluable relationships throughout his industry, both domestically and internationally.
In 2003, John accepted a position as a Regional Sales Manager with MK Morse, where he ended up spearheading the woodcutting business. He fell in love with this family-owned company and made it his personal mission to grow their business to the best of his ability.
Dedicated to development and growth in his personal life and his career, John never grew complacent. He embraced people from all walks of life, and enjoyed learning new ways to grow. He loved meeting new people, and learning about different cultures and ways of life. He especially loved spending time with his family and friends at his home in Helena. He was a dedicated and loving husband to Helen, and a kind and loving father to Johnny, Jason, and Heather. A true southern gentleman, he was blessed with a loving warm smile, a generous nature, and a great sense of humor. He was also a man of tremendous faith, and maintained a positive spirit until the end.
John was actively involved in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in many callings including as a High Priest.
John is survived by his beloved and devoted wife of 46 years, Helen; his sons Johnny Jr. (Mindie), and Jason (Korey), and daughter Heather O’Mahony (Ronan), as well as ten grandchildren: Jason Jr., Daniel, Tommy, Connor, Elizabeth, Lauren, Charlotte, Nicolas and Flora O’Mahony and Oisín O’Mahony. John is also survived by his brother, Henry (Marie).
Preceded in death are his father, Martin, mother, Mildred Magdalene, brothers Martin, Henry and sister Marie.
The family would like to thank the Oncology nurses, Dr. Weiner and Hospice care at St. Peter’s Hospital in Helena, as well as Dr. Montgomery and Sarah Hunt of UW Medical Center in Seattle for their care and expertise.
Viewing will begin at 12:00 p.m. with the family receiving friends from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 9th at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. Viewing will continue at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, March 10th at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 2nd Ward, 1260 Otter Road in Helena. The funeral service will begin at 10:00 a.m. at the church. Dedication of the grave will follow the service at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery at Fort Harrison. A meal for family and friends will follow the grave dedication in the Cultural Hall of the church. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages gifts be made to the John Ray Wirth Senior Woodworking scholarship fund at the Center for Wooden Boats 1010 Valley Street Seattle, WA 98109.
Service Schedule
Viewing
12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Thursday March 9, 2017
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Family Receiving Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m
Thursday March 9, 2017
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Service
10:00 a.m. to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 2nd
Friday March 10, 2017
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 2nd
1260 Otter Rd.
Helena, Montana 59602
Graveside Service
Following the service
Friday March 10, 2017
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Helena, Montana
Reception
Following the graveside services
Friday March 10, 2017
the Cultural Hall of the church
1260 Otter Rd.
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Viewing
12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Thursday March 9, 2017
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Family Receiving Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m
Thursday March 9, 2017
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Service
10:00 a.m. to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 2nd
Friday March 10, 2017
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 2nd
1260 Otter Rd.
Helena, Montana 59602
Graveside Service
Following the service
Friday March 10, 2017
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Helena, Montana
Reception
Following the graveside services
Friday March 10, 2017
the Cultural Hall of the church
1260 Otter Rd.
Helena, Montana 59602
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Wally Anderson says
Helen and Family,
I was saddened to hear the news of my friend John. I have worked with John over the last 6 years at the M.K. Morse Company. John really meant a lot to me and I am really glad that I got to know him.
I called you Helen after I heard of my friend and left you a voice mail.
I had actually tried to call him Monday and sent him an email because I just wanted to hear his voice.
John loved you and the children and grand children very much. He was very proud of his family.
I know you will miss him and I will miss him.
Please know that I am praying for your family.
Please call me if I can do anything.
Sincerely,
Patti says
Dear Helen,
Words cannot express how deeply saddened we were to hear that John passed away.
With all that John and you have shared with Doug and I over the last 18+ years (our children’s marriage, having 3 awesome grandchildren together, many adventurous summer vacation’s as you and John generously showed us all the beauty that Montana has to offer and spending a lot of fun time with your wonderful Montana family, enjoying every Christmas and almost every Thanksgiving holiday in fellowship with each other, the exciting Father’s Day’s and 4th of July’s celebration’s, those impromptu lunches and BBQ’s as well as so many other memorable times that we shared together) it has been such a blessing for us to have both you and John in our lives!!!
John was such a gentle, kind, humble, soft spoken and generous man and we were so fortunate to be blessed to know him and call him our friend and a wonderful part of our family.
God Bless You and all your family during this very difficult time.
We will see you at the funeral and, if you need anything, now or in the future, you know you can call on us.
All our love,
Doug and Patti
Dave Weitzel says
Dear Wirth family the Tucker-Weitzel family was saddened to hear of John going on to a better place and happy to know there no more suffering. He was our friend for many years going back to East Side Saw and B & J days as well as joining the MK Morse family and being our Regional Manager, we were the one’s to encourage him to go for his dream home in Montana and I’m so thankful he did as he was always in love with that part of the country and truly loved his church family. We were blessed to be able to work with his son Johny at HH and he would put a smile on my face as he was just like his Dad. Yes the apple does not fall far from the tree. Blessings from Tucker-Weitzel family to the Wirth Family.
Mike Buell says
We lost a friend of the company with news of the passing of John Wirth. John was instrumental in our early success with the Lenox Tool line of hole saws, recip and band saw blades. John took a role with Lenox selling wood band blades for a number of years and we lost contact. Five years ago, John took on a position in sales for the northwest for MK Morse and it is largely because of John that we are as successful with the MK Morse line as we are. Had John not come back to the region, we would not be selling any band saw blade line, our Lenox relationship was over and we had no desire to pursue and try to rebuild the business until John returned. John became a mentor to Jay Williams and to the entire MK Morse family over the past 2-3 years and was working from his home as a technical advisor until he was no longer able.
As good as John was in the business and as a friend and partner with Central Welding Supply and our customers, he was a better man. Those of us who had the chance to meet and get to know John over the years will always remember what a great person he was. He was always smiling and always laughing, an all-around happy guy.
We will miss you my friend. Our hearts go out to your family.
Mike Buell-Central Welding Supply
Paul Smith (Smith Sawmill Service) says
I had the privilege to meet John from his time he worked for Lenox and continued to be in contact with him thru these MK Morse days. We all loved John as we shared so much both in business transactions and in personal lives. He was a man that shared his faith with anyone and everyone. May God speed be with him as he reaches the heavens. John will be missed in our industry.
Dave Baldwin says
Helen and Family,
So sorry to hear of John’s passing. My condolences to you and the family. John was definitely one of the good guys. I always enjoyed his quick smile and laughter.
My best to you all,
Dave
Becky Mason Buckmaster says
My Sweet Friend Helen, Buck and I were so saddened to hear of your loss. You and John were a great duo. We are so glad for the few times we got to spend with him. I know you were very blessed by him over the years, and I praise God for him in your life. We will see you at the funeral, but please let us know if there is anything we can do to help you out.
Blessings to you and all your family,
Becky & Buck
Kent Hughes says
Helen and Family,
So sorry for your loss in John as a husband and father. I had the privilege of working with John for 20 years. John was nothing but a true gentleman and leader. What was so impressive with John is his desire to teach young and new people to the organizations or industries at Lenox and M K Morse. I always depended on John because of his abilities and I probably did not share that enough with him. He was very proud of his family and as he progressed in his years talked about the family activities and visits with all of you. I apologize that I can not be there in this time of sorry. I do know that John and I shared our beliefs often and I know that he is in the lords kingdom now. I have already prayed many times over for all of you and will continue as you proceed forward without your husband and father. If there is anything I can do, please let me know. I did get a smile on my face when I read about the scholarship. John was always passionate about the wood industry.
Kent Hughes and family.
Lee Breton says
Of all the great people I have worked with at Lenox in my 48 years I can honestly say that John was up there with the best of the best. I am truly heart broken to hear of his passing. When I had the opportunity to work in the field with him I always came back a better person, he was such an awesome friend. May God bless him and I know now that Heaven is a better place with John there.
Paul Aiken says
Helen, Johnny, Jason, and Heather,
Please accept our heart felt sorrow for you loss and know that we are praying for your family. John has been a special friend over the past 30 years and having the privilege knowing you all has been a blessing. May God surround you in his love and mercy always, but more so now!