Blaine Lindahl

Blaine Gray Lindahl, age 94, of Lake Forest, California, passed peacefully on Thursday, April 4, 2019.  Blaine was born on January 29, 1925 in Murray, Utah to James Ferribee Lindahl and Gladys Elizabeth Gray.  After his father’s premature death in 1936, his mother married James A. Rindfleisch.  Along with brothers, Charles, Jay and Kay Richard, Blaine grew up primarily in Murray and South Salt Lake with short stays in Toppenish, Washington and Sugar City, Idaho.

In 1943, at the age of 18, Blaine was inspired to enlist in the US Navy after watching a newsreel about World War II.  Following training at Oak Harbor, Washington, he was ordered to a naval base at Adak, Alaska where he served for two years in the personnel office.  At the conclusion of the war in the Pacific area, Blaine joined the Navy Reserve in Salt Lake and was serving there when recalled to active duty during the Korean War.  He was stationed at the naval station in San Diego and rose to the rank of Chief Petty Officer.  Blaine’s training and assignments in personnel prepared him for many future work opportunities after he was discharged from the Navy.

On November 15, 1947, Blaine married the love of his life, Joy Green.  They were subsequently sealed in the Salt Lake Temple.  After living for short periods in Kearns, San Diego and Cottonwood Heights, Blaine and Joy moved in 1958 to Garden Grove, California where Blaine worked for North American Aviation in the procurement office.  An entrepreneur at heart and desiring to better provide for the needs of his young and growing family, Blaine began his own business in 1964 providing group purchasing services for the booming health care industry.

Blaine and Joy were blessed with six children, Kristine, James, Kirk, Jane, David and Elizabeth.  A dedicated and loving father, Blaine made sure that every Saturday was family day with trips to the canyons, Huntington Beach, Irvine Park and other fun family areas.  They also made frequent water skiing trips to Canyon Lake and fishing and snow skiing trips to Mammoth Lakes.  In 1988, Blaine and Joy fulfilled a lifetime dream when they purchased a small ranch in Daniel, Utah.  While Joy sewed and canned, Blaine took care of his horses, fished the local streams and puttered around the ranch.  He also enjoyed regular horse rides with family and friends including multi-day trips with a group of other horse enthusiasts who called themselves the Rough Riders.

In addition to family, Blaine valued opportunities to help others.  His kind and caring nature, friendly teasing and outgoing personality endeared him to everyone he met.  As a dedicated member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he influenced many people for good as he served as a youth advisor, high council member, bishop and patriarch.  For over two decades, he also served first as an ordinance worker and then as a sealer in the Los Angeles and San Diego Temples where he and Joy formed many lasting friendships.

In addition to his six children and their spouses, Blaine’s legacy of happiness, optimism and compassion lives on in the lives of his 20 grandchildren, 66 great grandchildren and innumerable friends.  As one of those friends observed: “Heaven is a happier place because Blaine is there.”

Graveside services will be held Tuesday, April 16, 2019 at 12:30 p.m. at the Kaysville City Cemetery, 500 East Crestwood Road, Kaysville.  Friends may visit family Tuesday from 11:00 to 12:00 p.m. at Lindquist’s Kaysville Mortuary, 400 North Main, Kaysville.