Jack Lyman

Jack Lyman passed away peacefully at his home in Clarkston, Washington on June 30, 2025.

John Reynolds Lyman, Jr. was born July 20, 1949, in Salt Lake City, Utah, the first child of John Reynolds Lyman and Helen Marie Borden Lyman. He grew up in Salt Lake City, attended local schools and graduated from Skyline High School in 1967. He was an All-State football player and a National Merit Scholar.

Jack attended the University of Utah where he was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity, serving as historian and vice-president. He graduated with a degree in Industrial Engineering, later earned a Masters in Engineering Administration and was licensed as a professional engineer. He was a Vietnam-Era veteran serving as a medic and medical lab technician in the 328th General Hospital of the U.S. Army Reserves.

Jack began his career as a sales engineer in the coal industry. He then worked as an industrial engineer for Morton Thiokol in Brigham City, Utah. After completing his master's degree, he went to work for the state of Utah as an energy conservation specialist and was able to combine his experience and skills with his love of politics. He later served as Director of the Utah Energy Office and Deputy Director of the Utah Department of Natural Resources and Energy. In the last two positions he was the chief energy advisor to Governor Scott Matheson.

When Jack left state government, he began a long career in government relations. He was Director of External Affairs for the White River Shale Oil Corporation, Director of Program Development for Triad American, and Executive Director of the Institute of Resource Recovery in Washington, D.C. In 1989 he moved to Boise as the Executive Vice President of the Idaho Mining Association and served in that position for 29 years. Since 2002 he lobbied for the Idaho Manufactured Housing Association.

Jack loved politics and served as a delegate to county and state Democratic conventions, as North Utah coordinator for Scott Matheson for Governor, as Chairman of the Utah Governor's Ball, and as the Democratic candidate for Salt Lake County Commission in 1984. He was also a member of the Democratic Leadership Council and the Speaker's Club in Washington, D.C. Upon moving to Idaho his Democratic credentials were less important and he developed strong working relationships with the state's Republican office holders. He counted the state's congressional delegation, state-wide elected officials, and many legislators among his friends.

Jack served as Chairman of the Canyon County Planning and Zoning Commission. He served on the Board of Directors of the Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry, the City Club, the Associated Taxpayers of Idaho and the Idaho Council on Industry and the Environment.

Jack was an avid golfer and frequent competitor in local Pro-Am events. He was the Treasure Valley Putting Champion in 1993 and won the IGA Amateur II in 2002. He scored three hole-in-ones, the first in 1985, the second in 2014 and the third in 2020. He was a member of the Crane Creek Country Club and served on several club committees. He was a regular competitor in the Crane Creek Canyon Classic playing with his son John and his brother Jeff. After his diagnosis, Jack and his wife relocated to Clarkston, Washington where he became a member of the Lewiston Golf and Country Club and golfed 3-4 times a week. Three weeks prior to his passing, Jack scored an impressive 83; his final day on the golf course.

Jack was an avid student of the rules of golf and attended six USGA/PGA rules schools, achieving Expert Certification in 2020. He volunteered as a rules official in many competitions including USGA qualifying, collegiate, Idaho Golf Association and Pacific Northwest Golf Association events.

Jack married Susan Ramsey Bernick in 1973 and they had two children, John Ramsey Lyman and Margaret Ellen Lyman. They divorced in 1985. Jack married Mona Oxford-Lyman in 2000 and added her children Jhordn G. Lewis and Austyn Brooke Lewis to his life. Mona was the dreamer, designer and artist, and Jack was the engineer and builder. Together they found much joy in taking on projects around the house and yard and worked well as a team.

Though Jack's professional life was defined by leadership, intellect, and integrity, those closest to him will remember the humor behind the seriousness - a man of quiet purpose, dry wit, and unwavering character. A builder, a guide, and a steady presence, Jack was generous with his time, his patience, and his love. Intensely loyal and deeply supportive, he was brilliantly smart and unexpectedly funny. He leaves behind not just a professional legacy, but a personal one, stitched together from laughter, lessons, and love.

Jack is survived by his wife Mona Oxford-Lyman; his children and their spouses John Lyman (Christina Stearns), Maggie Lyman Rodgers (Jason), Major Jhordn Lewis, U.S. Army, and Austyn Lewis Shelden (Scott); and his brothers and sisters-in-law: Jeff Lyman (Robin), Steve Lyman, and Roy Lyman (Marce). He was known as Poobah to his seven grandchildren: Amelia, Slade, Nora, Jack, Trace, Price, and Wyatt. He was preceded in death by his father John Lyman, mother Helen Lyman, and a brother, Bruce Max Lyman.

A celebration of life will be held at the Crane Creek Golf and Country Club in Boise, Idaho on the morning of September 27, 2025 at 11AM. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be made in Jack's name to the Idaho Golf Association Junior Golf program.