John Sinclair, Jr.

John William Sinclair, Jr, age 81, passed from this life on December 13, 2024 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

John was born on September 16, 1943 in Monroe, Louisiana to parents John and Bessie Sinclair. He grew up in Louisiana and enlisted in the Navy in 1961. After serving his country, John worked for Boeing, first in New Orleans then in Seattle. Life eventually led John to South Dakota, where he worked at a radiator shop in Belle Fourche for several years. He finally settled in Sioux Falls where he was a concrete foreman with Carlyle Schliem; they worked together for many years and became good friends along the way.

A turning point in John’s life was meeting his wife Kathleen. They were introduced by a mutual friend and were married soon after on July 28, 1989. John was dedicated to his family and especially loved spending time with his grandchildren. He was always on the go, whether it was fishing or catching up with friends. Once you were part of his life, John faithfully kept in touch with frequent phone calls.

John is survived by his wife of 35 years, Kathleen Sinclair of Sioux Falls; daughter Karla (Cory) Hjellming, of Sioux Falls; grandchildren, Alessia and Atlas Hjellming of Sioux Falls; and brother, Billy (Jodie)Sinclair of Bandera, TX. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Patrick, James, and Dan, sister Mary, and his special Aunt, Jerri Sanders.

John’s family would like to extend a special thank you to all of the wonderful staff at Dougherty Hospice House, who so graciously cared for him in his final days.

Please join John’s family on Wednesday, December 18th, 2024 at Chapel Hill in Sioux Falls. Visitation will begin at 4 pm followed by a 5 pm Tribute and Sharing of Memories. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in memory of John to the Salvation Army or the Sioux Falls Humane Society.