James Richard Lindou

“Duty,” “Honor”, “Country” -- those three hallowed words reverently dictate what you ought to be, what you can be, what you will be. They are your rallying points to build courage when courage seems to fail, to regain faith when there seems to be little cause for faith, to create hope when hope becomes forlorn.” - General Douglas MacArthur James Richard Lindou, 78, of Lake Ridge, passed peacefully on August 29, 2019 surrounded by the love of his family. Jim was born on August 14, 1941 at Scott Air Force Base, St. Clair County, Illinois. He began his secondary education in 1959 at St. Precopius College by the Benedictine Monks of St. Precopius Abbey on the West Side of Chicago. While attending St, Precopius only one year, the experience left a positive and lasting influence on his life. In 1960, Jim entered the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, graduating in 1964 as a Second Lieutenant with a Bachelors of Science degree in Engineering. Jim went on to earn his M. S. in Electrical Engineering from the Florida Institute of Technology in 1975. On May 7, 1966, Jim wed Khris, beginning an enviable, loving, and strong 53-year marriage. Jim spent his career in the United States Army Department of Defense as a Missile Systems Engineering Officer and in Communications as an Electronics Engineering Officer. Jim’s military career took him to many posts including Hollywood, California where he supported American Forces and television Services (AFRTS) that delivered weekly television programming to service members around the world. In a time before satellite, this was a massive task. Kwajalein Island in the Marshall Islands of the Pacific Ocean was a special “hardship tour” endured by Jim and his family. Despite the United States designation of “Kwaj” as a hardship, the family recalls the tiny island fondly. Following his retirement in 1986, Jim worked an additional ten years for the United States Department of Defense. He devoted twenty-five years, seven months and twenty-three days in the service of his country. Since retirement, Jim enjoyed traveling both to visit his children, grandchildren and family, as well as for fun. History and military history in particular were of great interest. Jim also had a passion for music, and a special affinity for all animals, their presence was always welcomed and valued. Jim is survived by his loving wife Khris, and their children: Angela, Nicole, Danielle and Thomas (Denise); his twin sister Charlotte, and sisters Bernadette and Antoinette; and by six grandchildren; Nicolas, Alexis, Leom, Angelica, Soren and Charles; and one great-grandson, Maximus. He is also survived by his many nieces and nephews, for whom he held a special fondness. The family would like to invite loved ones and friends to attend Mass at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton on September 07, 2019 at 11:00 AM and a reception to be held at The American Legion Post 364, on September 07, 2019 from 2:00-6:00 PM. Jim will be inurned at West Point at a later date with immediate family in attendance. As in the words of General MacArthur at West Point, “The long gray line has never failed us” and we celebrate James Richard Lindou’s life as reliable, as brave, and as victorious. In his youthful spirit and strength, his love and loyalty, he gave all that mortality can give. In lieu of flowers, the family would like for donations to be made St. Jude Children’s Hospital James Richard Lindou Memorial Fund.

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James Richard Lindou

August 29, 2019