John Henry Lindell

1930 - 2021

John Henry Lindell
Austin - John Henry Lindell was born an Austin Texan and he died an Austin Texan.
He was born on October 9, 1930, to Albert W. Lindell and Ruth (Andrewartha) Lindell. He quietly passed in his sleep with his wife Betty near his side on February 27, 2021. He was 90 years old.
John and his family moved to Houston early in his childhood, and that is where he met his sweetheart Betty Jean Hilliard. He attended Baylor University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Religion in 1952. That same year, he and Betty were married.
In 1953, he was called to become the minister of the Baptist Church at Turnersville, Texas. Later, he was employed as a caseworker at the Texas Department of Public Welfare in Houston. John continued his education at The University of Texas - Austin and was a member of the first graduating class to receive a Master of Arts degree in Social Work in 1957. John was a dedicated caseworker, counselor, and administrator in family and children's services throughout the state of Texas. He was instrumental in the growth and development of the Texas Department of Public Welfare (Human Services) for over 30 years. He retired from the Department in 1987.
John evolved from his Baptist heritage and became a member of the United Methodist Churches in Corpus Christi and Austin. In 1980, he joined the First Unitarian Church of Austin. A lifetime of religious study and reflection led John to embrace Christian Deism. He is the author of a book: Deism, and the Human Jesus, published on his website.
He was enormously proud of his Swedish heritage and opened his home to several visiting Swedish relatives. He and Betty enjoyed traveling to many places in their A-Liner camper where they developed close friendships and great memories. Those memories and more were captured on thousands of pictures he took as the official family photographer. As a city councilman, he answered the call of his Rollingwood community and contributed to the greater good. John led a life of selfless service and was always at the ready to help a friend in need.
John is survived by his wife Betty, two sons, John Jr. (Janet) and Robert (Sue), daughter Bonnie (Wes); four grandchildren Jeremy, Brett, Blake, and Jenna; seven great-grandchildren, Jaxon, Skylar, Beau, Kitt, Emmett, Savannah, and Summit; and so many dear family and friends.
John: husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, family counselor, marriage officiant, inventor, author, poet, small business owner, songwriter, and lover of life. We will miss you and forever carry you in our hearts.
A private celebration of life will be shared at home by family members.