John Link

1942 - 2025

John Link
12/20/1942 - 08/06/2025
LINK, John Daly -Passed away on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, at his home in San Francisco after a long illness. John was born in Ainsworth, Nebraska, on December 20, 1942, to Thelma Porter Link and Harvey Daly (H.D.) Link. He spent his formative years in Ainsworth with his parents and older sister, Carol, excelling at everything he did in the classroom, on the football field, and in the marching band -and in his senior year he was crowned homecoming king.
After high school, John headed to the University of Nebraska - Lincoln where he was in ROTC and was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity where he served as president his senior year. John returned to Ainsworth every summer throughout college to stack hay at the Williams Ranch - a cherished time he recalled frequently. John then attended law school at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln, graduating in 1967 and immediately joined the Army. He served as a Captain in the Judge Advocate General's Corps (JAG) in Vietnam where he forged many life-long friendships, including giving birth to the "Potluck," a dinner group spanning over 50 years.
John's final year in the Army was spent at the Presidio of San Francisco. Upon receiving an honorable discharge from the U.S. Army, John accepted a job at the U.S. Attorney's Office in San Francisco as an Assistant US Attorney, whereupon he made many close friendships and met his first wife, Julie Casciato, whom he married in June 1973. Shortly thereafter he accepted a job as an associate attorney at the firm known at that time as Walkup, Downing, Sterns & Poore (now known as Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger), eventually becoming a partner in 1979.
In 1990, after he retired from the Walkup firm, John took up skiing with his children and enjoyed many fun winters in Tahoe chasing them down the hill. Though his health struggles began slowing him down, John stayed active, swimming at the Olympic Club twice a week. Most of all, he valued his time with others and always loved a good conversation over a delicious meal. John loved people and everyone he knew loved him.
John is survived by his wife, Lisa LaRue, his children Carolyn Daly Link (Daniel Tesfai) of San Francisco, and Matthew Porter Link (Valeriya Moskalev) of Citrus Heights, and mother of his children, Julie Casciato Link (Steve Ormond). He also leaves behind his brothers-in-law, F. Thomas Waring, M.D. of Fremont, Nebraska, Al Casciato (Maritza) of Folsom, Jose Casciato of San Francisco, William LaRue (Sandra) of New Orleans, Louisiana, and several nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents, H.D. and Thelma Porter Link, and his sister, Carol Ann Link Waring.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the University of Nebraska, College of Law, in memoriam of John D. Link, 1010 Lincoln Mall, Suite 300, Lincoln, NE 68508.
A private Celebration of Life will be held in September.