James Lynch

Larger than life, Jim Lynch was born April 6, 1942 in Boston, MA to Kathleen and James B. Lynch, and died April 27 in Cheyenne surrounded by his family. Jim grew up in South Boston with his brothers, Dennis and Dan, who also served as his partners in mischief. After graduating from high school, Jim began his life as a renaissance man. He joined the Navy and taught philosophy at the collegiate level, after becoming the youngest Greyhound bus driver in the country. Jim's travels took him down to Georgia, where he started a career in law enforcement, and then long-haul trucking became his next passion. Something about the horizon in front of him, and road beneath him gave him some semblance of peace, but never filled the void in his heart for the life and family he left behind in Boston. In 1977, Jim's life changed forever when he met the love of his life, Felicity, and they married in 1978. Over the next several years, Jim and Felicity had two children, Jimmy and Kathleen and in 1983 the family moved to Felicity's hometown - Cheyenne, WY. Jim welcomed his side-kick and daughter, Josephine, in 1987. The past 36 years, Jim made Cheyenne his home, and Cheyenne will never be the same. He volunteered for countless organizations and non-profits, because serving his community was important to him, and he was passionate about helping to create an ever-better place to live for all of us. Through the years, Jim served as the personal photographer to Governor Mike Sullivan, sat proudly on Cheyenne City Council, worked many years as a computer program specialist, and through his beloved role as a photographer on the Public Relations committee with Cheyenne Frontier Days, he was able to make a long-time dream come true - Coats for Kids. Growing up poor in Boston, Jim was subject and witness to the cruelty of cold winters, and classmate's heckling. One incident being bullied for wearing a coat a classmate's mother donated to charity stuck with Jim the rest of his life, and he made it a mission to fill the gaps for families like his own, by offering free coats for kids. With the dedication and support of his family, friends at CFD, and throughout the community, Coats for Kids has given out over 10,000 brand-new coats to anyone who has needed one. The legacy Jim leaves behind is one of sharing, and compassion. He was a man with a heart as big as his laugh, and will be greatly missed by countless people. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Kathleen and James, brothers Dennis and Dan, and his son Jimmy. He is survived by his wife Felicity, daughter Kathleen Jaure and her husband Joe, his immeasurably-loved grandchildren Makenna, Ava, Atticus, Seneca, Doran and Arabella, and daughter Josephine Carlson and her husband Sam. Cremation has taken place. A memorial service and reception will be May 5 at the Historic Plains Hotel ballroom from 1-5pm. In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made to the Coats for Kids foundation. Donations can be mailed to 2512 Snyder Ave. Cheyenne, WY 82001.