Linda J. Mahon

Linda J. Mahon, age 70, of Bossier City, Louisiana, daughter of Colonel Joseph M. Strickland and Sarah E. Brantley, went peacefully into the arms of God surrounded by her loved ones in her home on Sunday, July 12, 2020.

She was born on February 8, 1950 in Roswell, New Mexico. Being in a military family, she spent her childhood living in various cities around America. She went to Colorado State University and received a degree in explosives safety from UC Berkley. Her experience and knowledge in explosive safety was unparalleled. She was recruited by British Aerospace Explosives to serve as the explosive safety manager moving her from Escalon, CA to Camden, AR in 1999. Her family was always her highest priority regardless of her professional life. In 2003 she relocated to Haughton, LA to assist her aging mother. On July 5th, 2019 she retired after 12 years of service in the Louisiana State Military Department as the Explosive Safety Coordinator for Camp Minden, National Guard Base.

She liked to bowl, travel, and play her slots at Louisiana Downs. She was a trivial pursuit enthusiast and scrabble specialist. Cooking shows were her guilty pleasure. She was an avid risk taker with a passion for roller coasters, adventure-driven travel, and taking her daughter Sara on movie-hopping trips. She had earned such great accolades as national choir competitor, "most-improved" softball player, and "most-kissable lips."

She was known for her ability to improve the lives of those around her with just a few simple words, her seemingly unlimited capacity for love, and her beautiful smile that could light up a room. Her memory and legacy will live on through her husband, William Mahon of Bossier City, her sister Janette Stehr of Fairplay, Maryland, her adopted daughter Ashley Stuteville of Baton Rouge, her son Brian "Chance" Mahon of Bossier City and daughter Sara Swift of Escalon, California, as well as her grandchildren Kaleb and Kole Swift.

A memorial service will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 16, 2020 in the reception center at Camp Minden.