John F. Linebarger

1946 - 2024

John F. Linebarger

December 7, 1946 - November 26, 2024

Fort Worth, Texas - John F. Linebarger passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, after a brief illness.

Celebration of Life: 2:30 p.m. Thursday, January 9, 2025 in Greenwood's Live Oak Chapel, 3100 White Settlement Road, Fort Worth, Texas.

John was born in Tennessee on December 7, 1946. Shortly thereafter, his family relocated to Fort Worth where John grew up. He was the only son of Otis "Line" Linebarger and Imogene Linebarger who both passed away in 2008. John graduated from Texas Wesleyan in Fort Worth in 1968 with a B.B.A. After graduation, John embarked on a career in law enforcement and became a Deputy Sheriff with the Tarrant County Sheriff's Office. He later worked for the Tarrant County District Attorney's Office as a felony court trial team investigator. John developed a very close personal friendship with the late Tim Curry who served the Tarrant County community as District Attorney with class and dignity for more than 37 years. As John began work in the District Attorney's Office, he quickly became passionate about the field of criminal law. In 1973, he enrolled in law school at the South Texas College of Law in Houston. He worked his way through law school as an investigator for the Harris County District Attorney's Office, which was headed by famed prosecutor, Johnny Holmes. Following his graduation from law school in 1976, John returned to Fort Worth where he worked as an Assistant District Attorney under Mr. Curry. In 1979, John opened his own law office in Fort Worth and began a remarkable 35-year career as a proficient and highly respected criminal defense lawyer. His passion was to provide the very best quality of representation to every one of his clients. John accomplished all of that and much more.

John loved practicing law and helping people, especially his parents. John was the primary caregiver for both his parents until they passed away. He loved international travel, sailing with friends, riding motorcycles, attending concerts and living life itself to the fullest. He always cherished an outstanding gourmet meal. But John's lasting legacy and trademark in life was his generosity with others and his cultivation of many deep personal friendships. He was truly a loyal friend to a fault. It has been said by more than one of his many friends that "when Johnny Lines was your friend, he was 100% hitched."

John is survived by his best friend and the love of his life for over 20 years, Lea Montgomery; along with his niece, Kay Watkins of Fort Worth, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, donations in the name of John Linebarger may be made to Recovery Resource Council, 2700 Airport Freeway, Fort Worth, Texas 76111.