Ross Alexander Lynn

1979 - 2013

Ross Alexander Lynn was killed in a farming accident Aug. 26, 2013 on the Lynn family farm in Gilliam, La. He was 33 years old.

Ross was born Nov. 6, 1979 in Shreveport, La., son of Bruce Lynn Jr. and Jane Watts. He graduated in 1997 from Caddo Magnet High School in Shreveport.

Following high school, Ross moved to Bozeman, Mont., where he quickly made many lifelong friends and discovered his love of the mountains and adventure. He attended Montana State University in pursuit of a photography degree and graduated in 2002.

Ross was always curious of different cultures and open to visiting new places. He explored much of this earth in his 33 years, visiting six continents and dozens of countries.

Mountaineering and climbing trips took Ross to some of the highest peaks of South America and the Himalaya. He was a strong and skilled climber, and shared a rope with many of the premiere mountaineers in the world.

Ross also volunteered his time at the Alex Lowe Charitable Foundation's Khumbu Climbing Center in Phortse, Nepal for three years to help teach technical climbing skills to Nepali students.

While passionate about travel, some of his best adventures were with friends in the mountains around Bozeman. Ross was often found climbing steep ice in Hyalite Canyon or working new multi-pitch routes on massive walls in the Beartooth Mountains.

Many across Montana were lucky to share a climb, ski, run or hike with Ross as he was always game for an adventure.

Music was an important part of his life. A talented singer and songwriter, Ross could play nearly any stringed instrument, but thrived at guitar and banjo. He played many open mic nights in Bozeman and Livingston, and was never shy about serenading his friends around a campfire. He could cover any Neil Young song, one of his favorite musicians.

A master of all trades and an incredibly skilled craftsman, Ross enjoyed designing unique furniture and abstract sculptures. He would spend hours in the shop exploring new techniques with steel, wood and concrete. He was also an accomplished photographer and writer.

In his down time, which was rare, Ross enjoyed reading thought-provoking novels, listening to Radiolab podcasts or practicing yoga.

Ross loved to cook and his spice cupboard was always stocked. He could whip up a gourmet dinner in a moment's notice or slow roast a whole pig over an open fire. Ross loved to share a good meal with friends and family.

While his heart was in Montana, he was always drawn back to the family farm where he helped grow and harvest cotton, soybeans, sweet potatoes and corn. Ross was respectful of the farming tradition that runs deep in his family.

Friends will remember Ross for his glowing and genuine personality, his lighthearted sense of humor, his kindness, and his pure heart. Ross was absolutely his own man. He touched many souls in his short life, and his memory will live on with everyone who was lucky enough to know him.

May his spirit fly free and watch over all of us.

Ross is survived by his parents, Bruce Lynn Jr., and Jane and Tucker Watts; brother, Bruce Newton Lynn III and his wife, Kristy Lynn; sister, Lesley Lynn Johnson and her husband, Jeremy Johnson; grandparents, Bruce and Margaret Lynn, and Juel Chappell; nieces, Matilda Rose Johnson and Clementine Harper Lynn; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. His grandfather, Woodrow Alexander Downs, preceded him in death.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, Aug. 31 at 10 a.m. at Grace Community Church, 9400 Ellerbe Rd. in Shreveport, LA 71106. Flowers may be sent to the church.

A celebration of Ross's life in Montana is planned for a later date. His ashes will be spread in Louisiana on the family farm and in Montana's Beartooth Mountains.

Donations in Ross's honor are suggested to go to the following organizations or a charity of your choice.

Refuge Meditation Center, 622 Jordan St., Shreveport, LA 71101; Center for Ministry, Box 150041, 1701 N. State St., Jackson, MS 39210; Alex Lowe Charitable Foundation, P.O. Box 6666, Bozeman, MT 59771.