R. John Symonds Jr. age 42 of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin died tragically on Sunday August 20, 2006 from injuries as a result of a sky diving accident near Tomahawk, Wisconsin.

A Memorial Service will be held 10:30 AM Tuesday August 29th at the United Methodist Church in Belle Fourche South Dakota, with Rev. Gail Arnold officiating. A visitation will be held 3 to 7 PM Monday at the Funeral Home of the Northern Hills in Belle Fourche. Inurnment will be held in the Pine Slope Cemetery in Belle Fourche.

Richard John Symonds Junior was born May 29, 1964 in Sturgis, SD. He was the son of Richard Sr. and Patricia (Lehnert) Symonds. John grew up in Belle Fourche where he graduated from high school in 1982. Following high school, John served in the National Guard. During this time he was stationed in Missouri and New Jersey and he later served with the National Guard Reserves in Belle Fourche.

In 1988 John graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science Degree from Black Hills State University. In 1991 he received his law degree from Marquette University and was admitted to the Eastern and Western District Federal Court, as well as the Wisconsin Bar. Since then he has been an Attorney at Nash Podvin Attorneys at Law in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. For the past several years, he has been a partner in the firm.

During his college years, for two summers, John worked in Cordova Alaska as a fishing guide. This was a special time in John's life and he enjoyed the many memories made while living and working there. Also during his college years, John took an interest in sky diving. He loved it and he enjoyed being part of a sky diving team that competed against nationally recognized teams. This became one of John's passions in life. One of his other passions was hot air balloons. For the past several years he has enjoyed owning his own balloons and giving rides to people. For the past few years he enjoyed being part of the Wisconsin Rapids Balloon Rally. This rally would benefit the Children's Miracle Network. John loved people and he had a special burden for some of the handicapped children that he got to know while being a scout leader for a mentally handicapped scout group in Wisconsin.

John will be remembered for loving life and loving people. He loved children and was a special uncle to his nieces and nephews. Those children will always remember their uncle John for the love and joy that he shared with him. He was a magnet to them. He was a special brother and son as well, and he will be missed greatly.

John is survived by his parents, Dick and Patty Symonds of Belle Fourche; brother, Bob (and Tammy) of Belle Fourche; nephews, Gavin, and Logan; nieces, Amanda and Mariah all of Belle Fourche; life-long friend, Collin Potter of Rapid City; and several aunts and uncles.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents and his brother Jim.

May God Bless the Memory of R. John Symonds Jr.