Roll Call Tribute

Jeffrey Don "Jeff" Linder 

November 21, 1969 - August 29, 2024 

Dr. Jeffrey Don Linder, 54, of Dallas, Texas, passed away peacefully on August 29, 2024.

He was born on November 21, 1969, in Ponca City, Oklahoma. He was raised by loving parents Cecilia and Donald Linder who instilled the values of community, hard work, and faith. He was a dynamic individual whose spirit touched many lives.

Jeff’s formative years were spent excelling in sports at Ponca City High School, where he was a standout wrestler and football player. He continued his family’s legacy by attending Texas A&M University, where he was a leader in the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity and became a proud lifelong Aggie. It was in College Station where he began his journey to accomplish his lifelong dream of becoming a gastroenterologist.

He attended The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, followed by gastroenterology training at The University of Alabama and furthered his craft with an advanced therapeutic fellowship in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Jeff was viewed throughout the community as an expert in his field and his dedication was noted, with recurrent awards from D Magazine Best Doctor and Castle Connolly Top Doctor. He is remembered as a go-getter, and a physician who treated every patient as if they were his own parents. Despite his deep knowledge base and expert skill set, he was able to easily relate to patients, making everyone around him feel comfortable, even during challenging circumstances.

His dedication for the field extended past his prolific Dallas, Texas office. He influenced many with his love for teaching. Jeff was a mentor and dedicated professor training the next generation of gastroenterologists and internal medicine physicians. He was the recipient of multiple teaching awards, including best faculty mentor. His trainees described him as a “role model, life coach, and leader.” Trainees aspired to master the advanced endoscopic techniques, bedside manner, and clinical skills that he demonstrated.

Despite a busy professional schedule, Jeff mastered work-life balance. He never missed a family event, fishing competition, or opportunity to play with his band. Jeff was deeply involved in his local community as a member of the Oklahoma Bass Federation. Through fishing and as a member of the Oklahoma Bass Federation, Jeff created lasting bonds with his family and friends, routinely placing in national competitions. His creative spirit and love for performance shined brightly through his music. With his musical talents, he played rhythm guitar and sang with a group of friends in a band, Pool Party.

Jeff's love for his family was the cornerstone of his life. He married his soulmate and best friend, Monica Linder, on March 6, 2015, in Poetry, Texas. They built a life of strength, love and understanding. As avid sports fans, they met at Stans Blue Note and began dating in 2014. They shared common ground as Aggies, as well as being Mavericks and Rangers fans. As for the NFL, he was a tried-and-true Dallas Cowboy and she bleeds cheese. Amongst their many travels they especially enjoyed New Orleans, Mexico, Greece, and all the fishing tournaments each year, where she would feed the team in lieu of having to fish herself.

Jeff’s legacy also includes his beloved children, Sophie (Alex) Linder and Lucas Charles Linder, who were the pride of his life. To know Jeff was an honor. A best friend to many, with an unmatched work ethic. He was easily approachable, and always made everyone feel heard, regardless of the conversation.

Jeff is survived by his devoted wife Monica Linder; his cherished children, Sophie (Alex) and Lucas; his mother, Cecilia Linder; his father, Dr. Donald Linder; his sister and her husband, Julie & Joseph Beam; His brother and his wife, Joel and Brook Linder; nephews and nieces, Jake and his wife Cassidy Beam, Jenna, Jolie and Josh Beam; Landon and Landrie Linder. He will be deeply missed by his family and a wide circle of friends whose lives he touched with his warmth, creativity, and unwavering spirit. Jeff was preceded in death by his maternal and paternal grandparents.

A memorial service to honor Jeff’s life will be held on Monday, September 9, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home. Friends and family are invited to gather and celebrate Jeff’s remarkable life. The service will be livestreamed for those who would like to virtually attend the Celebration of Life.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The Association of Former Students at Texas A&M University, reflecting Jeff’s commitment to giving back to the community he loved.

Donation site: tx.ag/jlinder 

IN THE CARE OF
Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home & Hillcrest Mausoleum & Memorial Park