John Matthew Inkret, 62, died peacefully on Thursday, February 25, 2021 in his beloved “Alamo,” in Deer Lodge, MT. He was preceded in death by his father, William. He is survived by his mother, Aurelia, a brother, three sisters, three nephews, three nieces, and many close friends.
Born and raised in Denver, he attended Regis High School, and graduated from Carrol College in Helena with a bachelor’s degree in Biology. He later furthered his education with a master’s degree in Soil Science at Montana State University. He enjoyed curating and planting the perfect combination of native grasses and forbs both professionally and as a hobby. His knowledge and skill in this area was impressive.
John had many friends, often brought together by their love of music. Appreciating live music and playing the mandolin were some of his beloved hobbies. John adored his dog Django, and he was passionate about fishing, gardening, and working with his hands. He had a wry sense of humor, and he loved to laugh.
John wanted any contributions in his memory to be sent to:
St. Joseph Mission School
PO Box 370
26 School Road
San Fidel, NM 87049
No services are scheduled at this time. Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of John. Axelson Funeral and Cremation Services has been privileged to care for John and his family.
Phil Anthony says
I first met John Inkret at Regis, probably over the foosball table in the cafeteria. We became partners (he played goalie, I played forward.) When we went out, we generally held the table all night.
One of our pastimes was to meet on a Saturday morning, alternating between each other’s houses, and pirate each other’s music collections.
In our youth, we attended live concerts together. One memorable event in particular was the Jackson Browne concert at Red Rocks, which subsequently produced the live album “Running on Empty.” John and I got to the venue early so we’d have good seats. We packed a lunch and enough beer to stay “hydrated” into the night. JB came onstage in the early afternoon for a sound-check that was really almost an entire concert in itself!
John was the best man at my wedding, and a roommate for a while after that marriage ended.
We stayed in touch for over forty years, talking at least once a week. I was so proud of him when he obtained his master’s degree!
I visited him a number of times, both at his house in Manhattan MT (the “Manhattan Project”) and his place in Deer Lodge (“the Alamo.”) He was proud of his gardens in both places and shared the fruits of his labor with whoever he felt deserved it. And of course there was a fishing trip involved, whenever I’d show up.
John was my oldest and dearest friend, closer than a brother. I will miss him sorely.
Steve Halgrimson says
Think it was 1972 when my family moved in next door to John’s. We fast became friends and had neighborhood games of football and basketball in his yard and driveway while growing up. I moved away when I was in 6th grade. John and I kept in touch in those years I was gone and after completing tech school I moved back to Denver. John had recently moved back too, from his adventures in Alaska.
We ended up as roommates for a few years at Ft Monroe, as we called it. John always had a knack for finding clever names for things and places. Actually the entire name was Ft Monroe, Home for Wayward Idiots. I guess we qualified and I know a good share of our transient roommates did too. We certainly knew how to throw a good party though! Musicians galore!! I remember one party in particular where there were five or six different jam sessions going on at the same time throughout the house. It was pretty ‘epic’ as they say. After I left Ft Monroe, John and I remained close friends. I kept I touch and visited him when he was in Pueblo and after he moved to Helena, MT. Green Ghetto was the name of his house there. We had many great fishing expeditions while he lived there even one that took us on foot passed the Unabomber’s little shack! Of course we never knew this until after the fact. Kind of nostalgic now though.
Next, John’s studies brought him to Manhattan Mt, this house was known as The Lower East Side, of course!! What a garden he had there!!! I have never found a garden since that has matched that one in size or diversity. John was in his element!!
I considered John my best friend. I loved him as a brother and always made room for him and his big (huge) ideas that he had! He had a brilliant mind, a great sense of humor and had great compassion for his fellow humans. Integrity was always a big concern for John, no matter the cost. Even with all his brilliance and compassion John got in his own way some of the time. I guess we all do that!! He made choices which often left me scratching my head as to why he would put himself in such predicaments. Then there came a point in the past 20 years where I had to make a choice about John and our friendship. It was solely my choice to make, I did not like to see a lot of the self destructive behavior that John was inflicting on himself. I knew it was my gig as John was John and he loved his life! Believe me! I talked with him about it. It was somewhat difficult for me at times to understand why he chose the path he did, but I also knew I had to unconditionally accept John if I wanted to continue to be in his life, which I did, so I did. Not always an easy task, but I sure did enjoy our talks and his humor. It was worth every second being John’s friend!! I am a better person because of him and I appreciate him for what he was. I know John’s life was not easy, but really who’s is? I asked John if he had any regrets in life a few weeks back and he told me that he didn’t!! He lived it as he had to, as authentic as it was to himself. I will probably never fully understand why he was as he was, but I will give that one to him all day long! I loved John!! He was my dear friend and I will miss him terribly! I really do think that John is in a better place now. I walked around with a heavy heart for the loss of John this past few days. Funny how self centered we can feel with such grief and loss in our life while completely overlooking the greatness that just occurred for the other person, speaking directly at their ability to be with their creator now, how cool is that!! At least this is my belief! It was pointed out to me by my Cheryl that the day John passed may have been the best day in his life! And you know what, I have no doubt that it was!!
John crawford says
Sending prayers and comforting thoughts to one of the most supportive and caring of families. Remembering John and his many exploits that kept us all shaking our heads and smiling. Best to all.
Hal Friedrich says
“Going soft upon the land and down along the rivers,” it’s one of Waller’s short stories in Just Beyond The Firelight. Waller speaks of secret places where magic and fire and the cold edge of reason interlace. Most would dare not go to such a place but John, John called it home.
The last time I saw John he gave me a book of short stories containing one by Ivan Turgenev, “The Forest and the Steppe.” John wanted me to read it and give him my thoughts. I texted that my takeaway was that one should stop with each step and take note of the new world you have just entered. John texted back, “Turgenev defines transcendentalist. I believe very few folks can achieve that plane.”
Maybe John isn’t so hard to understand if you believe there is a place where magic and fire and the cold edge of reason interlace.
I keep picturing in my mind the work horses in the Big Hole and how free they run when they are turned out in the spring. In time we will all cross over to the spirit side and I think we will find John there, going soft upon the land and down along the rivers.
I want to say, I am a better person for having known John and proud to say he was my friend.
Michael Carpinelli says
I was thinking of John yesterday and sent him a message. When I didn’t get a response, I got curious and stumbled on John’s obituary. John and I went through grad school together including a two-week field trip where we really bonded, in part, because of a love of fishing, music, and the similar wavelength of humor we shared, although John was much funnier than me. I missed John already, and I will miss him more and more from now on.
Mark Brookbank says
Dear John my beloved friend, I was shaken to know you passed.I was actually looking for you on line trying to ask you about a baby cougar I found hung on a fence. Last time I saw you was when you and Steve Halgrimson came to visit lisa up in woodland park.While trying to find you I said I’ll just Google him.This was just last month when I saw your obituary my heart sank. I met john in 1982 when he lived on Madison we hit it off right away. I have so many memories of the cabin partying at the house.He gave me a mandarin duck he did a mouse ate the webbing out of his feet.I loved it. He made me a pair of zebra skin tool bags. We didn’t keep in touch as much as we should have,and I regret that.
But he gave me the name ” Billy Whiteshoes” which I still use today.I think about you almost everyday since you’ve passed. I will always remember your laugh and yours and mine elevated sense of humor. I love you bro.
Mark Brookbank
An old friend says
A gentle spirit and an eccentric. I imagine you roaming in perfect fields of grain by beautiful rivers and mountains. Rest in peace.
Carmela Vanore says
I think of John often, so decided to Google him today and found this obituary. We met in 1978 or 79, while working at Jonas Brothers Taxidermy in Denver and became fast friends. I remember camping and fishing trips, listening to music together, discussing books, philosophy, religion and all things humanities related. And, of course the parties at John’s house when he was just taking up mandolin.
I have many fond memories of John, but the one I will never forget is the time he defended my honor. We were at a company Christmas party and several guys in the department John worked in dared one of their group to grab a prominent part of my anatomy, while the others stood gawking and laughing. I stood frozen on the spot, mortified and in shock. Within seconds John stepped between me and the offending buffoon, grabbed him by the collar, looked him straight in the eye and told him it was time for him to leave! Knowing how humiliated I felt John suggested we leave a short while later, so we headed to Soapy Smith’s down on Larimer street and had a grand time! My friend and hero!
We lost touch after John left Denver, but I never forgot the fun times we had, or the fact that he was a sensitive and honorable man.
I don’t have many regrets in life, but I do regret not having looked him up sooner. RIP sweet friend.