John E. Lackstom of Logan, Utah, passed away peacefully, April 17, 2016, surrounded by friends and members of his parish, St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church.
John was born on January 30, 1943, in Seattle, Washington. He was the only child of Einar Lackstrom and Evelyn Cash Lackstrom. He was preceded in death by his parents and all known members of his extended family.
John received his PhD in Linguistics from the University of Washington in 1971. He joined the faculty of Utah State University as a professor of Linguistics and Spanish. During his career, he published books and articles and presented at conferences in the fields of Linguistics, Spanish, and English as a Second Language. He held several positions in University committees and professional organizations. In 2011, John retired from Utah State University. As a tribute to John’s professionalism, the Lackstrom Linguistics Symposium was established by the Department of Languages, Philosophy, and Communication Studies. This symposium affords the opportunity for graduate students to present their research.
While at Utah State University, he developed the Intensive English Language Institute. He and Alfred N. Smith, Professor of French, established the Master of Second Language Teaching degree. Also, in collaboration with professors from Brigham Young University and the University of Utah, he founded the Intermountain Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages, a professional organization to promote the teaching of English as a Second Language. In addition, he was Fulbright Scholar.
As an educator, John influenced many students both academically and personally. He served as a mentor and friend to those individuals who walked through his office door for academic help, for intellectual conversation, and for friendship. He will be remembered as an intellectual and a person of faith.
Services will be held at 12 PM on Tuesday, April 26th at the St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 725 S 250 E, Hyde Park. A viewing will be held from 10:30-11:30 AM at the church prior to services. Condolences and thoughts may be expressed online at
www.allenmortuaries.net
.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Debt Reduction Fund at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 725 South 250 East, Hyde Park, Utah, 84318.