John W. Linda

John W. Linda, age 67, passed away suddenly Monday, July 29, 2024, at a local hospital.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, August 2, 2024, at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 800 N. New Road in Waco, with the Rev. Kelsey Fitting-Snyder officiating, graveside service will follow at Oakwood Cemetery in Waco. The funeral service will be live streamed on the St. Matthew Facebook page. The family will receive visitors from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Thursday, August 1, 2024, at the Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Chapel.

John was born in Waco, Texas, December 9, 1956, to John C. and Eunice Linda. He was raised in Waco and was baptized and confirmed at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, where he was a lifelong member and active on the Building and Property Committee. John selflessly served the citizens of Waco as a Waco Firefighter, rising through the ranks to Lieutenant at Station 1, before retiring in 2021 after a 42-year career. He was a member of the equipment committee, the hazardous materials task force, and for most of his career was the lead over the maintenance of the department’s SCBA system. In 2001, John was named Jimmy Fox Memorial Firefighter of the Year, and he and his crews received several unit commendations as well as the 2007 Texas Fire Chiefs Association award for valor. He was very passionate about the history of the Waco Fire Department, working with several Waco firemen and other researchers to answer questions and “chase rabbits” to find obscure history, resulting in the identification of at least one additional line-of-duty death in Waco. After he retired, he enjoyed his Tuesday morning breakfasts with a group of other retired Waco firemen and enjoyed the swapping of stories and reliving the memories of years past. He was also an avid rail enthusiast, photographer, and model railroader. He helped put in the train at Waco Lions Park in 1976 and continued to maintain the train until the park closed in 2021, helping to remove and store the train.

He loved his family with all his heart and was especially proud of his granddaughter Hadlee Jo, who had her granddaddy wrapped around her finger. They enjoyed frequent ice cream dates at Baskin-Robbins. He was also well known for his love of Dr Pepper, and could usually be found with one at hand – even at the end.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Eunice; and he is survived by his father, John C.; his wife of 44 ½ years, Carol; two sons, Bradley, Matthew and wife Brittney, and granddaughter Hadlee Jo, all of Waco, and numerous cousins in East and West Texas.

Pallbearers will be Joe Cook, Gerald Groppe, Greg Lippe, Ernest Nivin, Donald Pruitt, Jeff Pruitt, Demetris Smith, and Gary Davis.

Honorary Pallbearers are all current and retired Waco firemen.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Matthew Lutheran Church 800 N. New Road, Waco, TX 76710, designated to the Property committee, or to the Waco Firefighters Benefit Association, P.O. Box 8051, Waco, TX 76714

The family wishes to express their appreciation for the love and support shown by the members, spouses and families of the Waco Professional Firefighters Association- Local 478.

We invite you to leave a message or memory of John on his “Tribute Wall” at www.WHBfamily.com