Jim Lyons

Jim Lyons 1924 - 2012 Jim Lyons, patriarch of the Lyons Clan, left us suddenly on Sat. Jan 7th. He was born in 1924 and grew up in Billings, MT. He came to Bozeman, MT for college (Montana State Univ.), where he met me, Margaret Linfield, and we married in 1947, celebrating 64 years in August 2011. We moved to Boise in 1965 where he worked for Trus-Joist Corp. for 17 years in sales and product development. This is what Jim did… He was a Navy pilot in training (1943-1945). He earned a B.S. Degree in Industrial Engineering from MSU(1948). He was president of: MSU Associated Student Body; Sigma Chi Fraternity (Bozeman); Kiwanis Club and Jaycees (Billings); and Boise Racquet and Swim Club. And, he was a member of the Masonic Order 3rd Degree. He was an athlete all of his life and loved competing. Sports were always a challenge. He competed in football, gymnastics, swimming and diving in H.S. and college. The rest of his life he hunted, fished, flew, ran, biked and hiked at home and abroad, kayaked any river, skied, golfed and played tennis everywhere. This is what Jim was… He was kind, fun and fair and true to himself, which enabled him to do so much. He was a husband (I was lucky to be his wife), and father. We explored the world together and three kids soon joined us in our fun. Eventually our family expanded to 7 grand kids and 2 great grand kids. Jim's place was at the head of the table, ours was beside him. We loved being a family. Together we have raised this extended family in several 'Lyons' Dens' and have been there for each other through the ups and downs. He was a mentor and friend and has been an inspiration to many. His friendships were deep, if you knew him, you loved him. He made all of us better people. The entire 'Lyons' Den' was with him for his last battle This is our 'Lyons' Pride': Michael and Janna Lyons, Solymar (Lyons) and Wes Palm, Tawny Lyons, Amaya ; Lynde Lyons, Maggie Schumacher, Zachariah Clark; Mack Lyons and Sharon Hanson, Cooper and Brett , Drea (Foster) and Kyle and Lily Kinard. A gathering will be held for Jim this summer when the extended family can attend.