James Alan Linkous

LINKOUS"JAMES ALAN born in Kingsport, TN, Sept. 27, 1946, died June 12, 2012, in Placentia, CA. An Albuquerque native, Jim, who was also called Alan among family members, always had an interest in service and a love of the outdoors, attaining the rank of Eagle Scout and receiving the Order of the Arrow as a Boy Scout in his youth. A graduate of Surrattsville H.S. in Clinton, MD (64), he served in the U.S. Army (69-71) and as a Forest Service Ranger in the Gila Mountains of New Mexico. He attended the University of Maryland as a trumpeter in the marching band, the University of New Mexico, and the University of Wyoming, earning a liberal arts degree. He went on to a successful career as a petro chemist in the drilling fluids industry, which sent him travelling to remote job locations in New Mexico, Wyoming, Canada, Trinidad and Tobago, and the Australian outback. He later changed careers to become a Certified Professional Contracts Manager, and managed contracts for projects ranging from the planned development of the worlds largest particle accelerator in Texas, to the building and operation of the LA Metro Rail system and the construction of the Kodak Theater in Hollywood. Over the years, he also served as a certified soccer referee, officiating games at all levels of the sport. During their 38 years of marriage, Jim and his wife Lois lived in Grants, NM; Casper, WY; Albuquerque, NM; DeSoto, TX; and Placentia, CA. He was a devoted churchgoer wherever they lived and was a member of Friends Church of Yorba Linda, CA. He is survived by his wife Lois of Placentia, CA; his son Brent (wife Shannon, and children, Jordan, Kayleigh, Trinity, Journey and Presley) of Yorba Linda, CA; his son Russell (wife Ally) of Anaheim, CA; his brothers Gary Linkous (wife Becky) of Welches, OR; Richard Linkous of Albuquerque, NM; and Shane Linkous (wife Amy) of Austin, TX; his parents, Col. Russell E. (USAF-Ret.) and Neva Linkous of Albuquerque, NM; and many other beloved friends and relatives, including Jay and Ellen Reagan of Midwest City, OK; Joel and Jennifer Reagan of Olathe, KS; Tony and Kelsey Holmes of Portland, OR; Donny and Kristy Swan of Redmond, OR; Katey Linkous of Portland, OR; Renee Linkous of Albuquerque, NM; and Michael Sanchez of Albuquerque, NM. He was preceded in death by his grandson Job. Jim was a devoted husband, father and grandfather and he will be dearly missed by his friends and family. Services will take place on Wednesday, June 20, 2012, 10:00 a.m., at McAulay and Wallace Mortuary, Yorba Linda, CA, followed by a burial ceremony at 12:45 p.m. at Riverside National Cemetery, Riverside, CA. An online guestbook is available at www.mcaulaywallace.com/fh/obituaries