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James F. 'Jim' Lyons |
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September 28, 1938 ~ February 1, 2018 |
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February 6, 2018 |
James F. "Jim" Lyons, 79, died Thursday,
February 1, 2018, at Ashley Manor Nursing Home
in Boise. Funeral services will be held at 2
p.m. Wednesday, February 7, at the Idaho State
Veterans Cemetery, N10100 Horseshoe Bend Road,
Boise.
Jim was born September 28, 1938, in Lewiston,
the son of A.L. Lyons III and Shirley Felton
Lyons. He grew up in Lewiston and attended
Lewiston High School, where he was active in
track and the Boy Scouts. Jim achieved the rank
of Eagle Scout and participated in two national
and one world Boy Scout Jamboree.
Following high school, Jim attended the
University of Idaho and Stanford University,
where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in
history, a great love he held throughout his
life, and was active in Reserve Officers'
Training Corps and Sigma Chi fraternity.
Following Stanford, Jim was commissioned as a
lieutenant in the U.S. Army, serving our nation
during the Berlin Wall crisis. Jim continued his
military service in the Army Reserve and Air
Force National Guard until his retirement after
39 years of service at the rank of major.
Upon completion of active duty, Jim returned to
the University of Idaho to study law and married
Lynne Hilfiker of Boise.
Jim served as justice of the peace of Latah
County during his studies and upon graduation
from the University of Idaho College of Law in
1968, he moved to Bonners Ferry with his family
to join what would become the Nixon, Lyons and
Bell law firm.
He also was elected prosecuting attorney for
Boundary County in 1970 and served for a
two-year term. Jim continued his law practice in
Bonners Ferry for many years.
During his professional career, He was an active
and dedicated member of the community of Bonners
Ferry and Boundary County, being active in the
Kiwanis Club, Lions Club, the Boundary County
Historical Society, Sons of the American
Revolution, the American Legion and the Boy
Scouts.
He was an instrumental advocate in the
establishment of many beneficial projects for
the community, including the new Boundary County
Library and Museum, a newer and safer bridge
across the Kootenai River and helping pave the
way early on for what became the Kootenai River
Inn and Casino for the Kootenai Tribe.
North Idaho institutions Schweitzer Ski Resort
and the Pack River Lumber Company were also his
clients.
Jim and his family later moved to Boise, where
he continued his community activities, legal and
military service, being an active volunteer for
multiple causes. He cared deeply about the rural
counties of Idaho and worked for many years
advocating on their behalf.
Jim was a definitive force of nature who was
given the nickname "Earthquake" by close friends
and colleagues, due in part to his thunderous
voice, jovial laughter and strong-willed
character. He worked hard for what he believed
in, taking special pride in helping out working
men and women with the legal challenges that
they encountered.
Jim would often say how much he loved his sons,
keeping close with them throughout the years and
to the distant places they often went in life.
Jim enjoyed traveling with them, ultimately
visiting all 50 U.S. states and much of Canada
on many memorable road trips.
Survivors include his former wife, Lynne Lyons,
of Boise, and their three sons and spouses,
James and Natalia Lyons of Houston, Texas, John
and Ellen Lyons and granddaughter Emma of
Fairbanks, Alaska, and Benjamin Lyons and
Michael Woods of Boise.
Jim was preceded in death by his sister,
Gertrude Weisgerber, Lewiston, and brother A.L.
Lyons IV, Boise; and through them he has many
loving nieces and nephews.
Donations should be made to the Gamma Eta
Chapter of Sigma Chi in Moscow or your local Boy
Scout troop.
Memories and condolences may be shared with the
family at
www.summersfuneral.com. |
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