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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.