John Lund

John was many things: husband, father, son, brother, uncle, firefighter, paramedic, teacher, caregiver, counselor, and friend.

John was born in Montpelier, Idaho, on a blustery Thanksgiving Day, after a very large meal, to Phyllis and Jack Lund in 1961. His first couple of years were spent on the ranch just outside of Cokeville, Wyoming, that his grandfather owned. By the time he was four, the family had moved to the Idaho Falls area where John lived for most of his life. John attended Linden Park Elementary School, OE Bell Junior High, Clair E Gale Junior High and proudly Idaho Falls High School (Go Tigers)!

After high school, John left Idaho Falls for college at the University of Idaho, where he made a big decision – he pledged to the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity house – his first brotherhood. The FIJIs became a chosen family with brothers who remained friends for life. In Moscow, he discovered he wasn't always great in school, but he developed his community minded moral code—to always help others before thinking of himself. To put himself through college, he worked as a BLM firefighter in the summers. It was hard work in dangerous and awful conditions, but it taught him another important life lesson—work hard, it pays off. The BLM firefighting led him to his next adventure as a volunteer student firefighter/EMT at the Moscow FD, as he continued to attend the U of I. He lived there for a year and a half and it was while living there that he met a tall blond in the Garden Lounge over a shot of tequila and a game of pool. John was head over heels almost instantly, but Mary wasn't quite sure about this guy. He won her over with his quiet kindness, constant respect and deep spirituality.

On August 30, 1986, John married Mary Armstrong and they lived happily ever after for 39 years!

John joined the Idaho Falls Fire Department on January 20, 1986, and discovered his second brotherhood. He took great pride in his work and used every day on the job to try to improve the lives of everyone around him, which included his fellow firefighters and community members. On July 1, 1989, John became a Paramedic which helped him keep his thirst for learning alive. He also continued to take university classes and finished his bachelor's degree in 1989. He was very proud to achieve both of those milestones.

In addition to working at the IFFD, he became an ER Paramedic and a Flight Paramedic at EIRMC hospital in 1990. He enjoyed the excitement and challenge of flying in the helicopter! John mentored many firefighters throughout the years, helping them write papers, study for tests, and become better firefighters through counseling. On June 17, 2001, he became a Captain and chose to lead his stations and crews with a calm, thoughtful leadership style. Captain Lund helped many members of the department to strive for their potential and achieve their goals throughout his tenure. After a 28-year career, John retired from the Fire Department on January 21, 2014.

One of John's part-time jobs while at the Fire Department was teaching first responders throughout the country how to respond to radiological emergencies as an instructor for Technical Resources Group (TRG). After retirement, John joined TRG full-time as the Western States Coordinator where he combined his HAZMAT and firefighting knowledge with his knack for connecting with people to plan and implement different classes across the Western United States. He absolutely loved teaching and getting to travel to different fire departments, police departments, hospitals and rail companies to share his expertise. What started as "I'll give you a couple of years," became a second career with TRG, staying with them until January 2026.

John's greatest joy was his children, Kaitlyn and Violet. He loved them with all his heart, always worrying that being a firefighter would keep him away from them too much. So, he made sure to spend time with them when and where he could. He would go to their schools and volunteer in their classrooms or to eat lunch with them, often embarrassing them, but always connecting. He very much enjoyed peanut butter bars at Clair E Gale! John also loved chaperoning field trips. It was great to have a medical professional on those trips. He went with Violet on her fourth-grade trip to Boise and took Kaitlyn to Washington DC. The small amount of embarrassment was far outweighed by the quality time spent with their dad!

After leaving the fire department, and with the help of miles/points accumulated from travel with TRG, John and Mary began to go to more far-flung places. John never imagined that he would become a world traveler; mostly he liked being at home, but Mary had other ideas. She dragged him on his first international trip in 2012 to see four European countries. Since then, they have traveled to many countries and enjoyed adventure along the way. His favorite thing to do when traveling was to find a fire station (of course)! He would bring a patch along to show, just in case there was a language barrier, but he always found a way to communicate. John even went without Mary to Ukraine to tour Chernobyl with his boss at TRG. It was a fascinating experience that he cherished.

John often asked Mary, "Have I done enough?" It seems an unlikely question, but Mary always answered that of course he had. He was an amazing husband and father, deeply spiritual, accomplished in his chosen careers, a caring and trusted friend, a fabulous listener, in all things a kind human being. To the end he put others before himself. In short, yes dear, you've done enough.

John is survived by his wife Mary; his children, Kaitlyn and Drew McMurtrey; Violet Lund and Mary Caraway; and his sister and brother-in-law, Jean and Eric Remaley; and their children, Jacquelin, Max and Alexandra.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Idaho Falls Fire Fighters' Benevolent Fund to help future firefighters' families that may need assistance. Please send check to: PO Box 50644, Idaho Falls, ID 83405

Please join us to celebrate John's life. Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. Friday, March 27, 2026, at Holy Rosary Church, 905 S. Lee Avenue. Celebration Gathering immediately following in the Holy Rosary Hall across from the church.