John Rutherford Kline of Helena Mt. passed away at the age of 94, on July 22, 2026, after an extended decline brought on by the rigors of extreme old age. John was born in 1932 to Joseph Kline and Daisy Mae Rutherford and was the 3rd of 6 siblings and the last survivor of them all.

After college at St Thomas, he served as a marine lieutenant in the Korean War and went on to Michigan law school. Landing in Montana as an insurance adjuster, he married Judith Ann Crisafulli of Glendive and moved to Great Falls, where his first son Joseph was born. The family moved to Helena where John practiced law and bought a new house, and were soon joined by a second son, John Patrick.

John maintained a law practice until his retirement in 1999.

He was an avid racquetball player and member of the Montana Club, as well an unrepentant punster who tormented his spouse relentlessly with groaners and dad jokes. He instilled the same annoying humor into both his sons who make eyes roll to this very day.

John was frequently listed among America’s top lawyers for tax and probate. He is survived by his wife Judy and both sons, Joey (Dennis) of Helena and John Patrick (Irina) of Alabama.