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 John
Lindberg died at home in Naples, Idaho April 1,
2011. A memorial service celebrating his life
will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 9, 2011,
at the Becker Auditorium.
John was born on May 29, 1934, in Cortland, New
York, to Philip and Marion Lindberg.
He was raised in the small town of Homer, New
York, and always wished to retire to the comfort
and friendliness of small town living. John
graduated from Homer High School where he was
active in soccer, basketball and track, but
soccer became his main love.
John went on to Brockport State College in
pursuit of a teaching degree. There his true
talent for soccer excelled and he was selected
as an All American Soccer player in 1952,
1953,1954. John
graduated from Brockport with both a Bachelor of
Science and Masters Degree in Education
Administration.
He first taught at Eden, New York, followed by a
return to Brockport College, where John taught
college students professional teaching skills
with young children.
John’s teaching career of 36 years took him from
New York to Nevada and finally California, where
he taught for 26 years. There he met and married
a fellow teacher, Shirley Smith, who has been
his life-long loving partner for over forty
years.
Those many years in education brought him
recognition in both athletic and service awards:
Homer Central
School Athletic Hall of Fame
All American Soccer Player 1952, 1953,
1954
Eden Hall of Fame Award for
Distinguished Service
New York State University for
Outstanding Service
Dedication and Contribution for
Establishing Soccer as New High
School Sport 1992
Bonners Ferry Board of Education Service
Award
Idaho Intermountain League Coach of the
Year
Idaho High School Athletic League
Distinguished Service Award |
Upon retiring to Bonners Ferry, John learned
soccer was not included as a high school sport.
True to his community spirit, he immediately
went into action and got permission to
voluntarily start a free youth club team at the
fairgrounds. As it grew, finding and personally
purchasing a suitable field to accommodate the
growth led to more participants.
Finally soccer was
accepted as a school sport. John was
instrumental in creating a high school soccer
field and this has led to a positive Bonners
Ferry soccer reputation over the years. John’s
soccer philosophy “First and foremost
sportsmanship followed closely by respect for
the sport itself and help for fellow team
mates."
John is survived by his wife Shirley, daughter
and son-in-law Laurie and Michael Naumann,
brother Bill Lindberg, daughter- in-law Jan
Soloy, five grandchildren, 11
great-grandchildren, and several nieces and
nephews.
Memorials are suggested to the Boundary County
Education Foundation, Bonners Ferry High School
Soccer Teams or Pancreatic Cancer Research.
Family and friends are invited to sign John’s
book at
www.bonnersferryfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to the care of
Bonners Ferry Funeral Home.
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