James A. Lynn, 94

Jimmy “Doc” Lynn Jr. passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, Aug. 22, 2026. Doc was born April 7, 1932, in Wenatchee, Wash., to Jim and Bea Lynn, joining his sisters, Shirley and Ann “Pudgy.” In 1941, the family moved first to Kellogg, Idaho, and shortly thereafter to Wallace, Idaho. They lived above his father’s bar on Bank Street before moving to the duplex at 115 King St., where Jim’s story truly began.

Jim loved everything about growing up in Wallace: hiking up Placer Creek, camping, swimming, and sleigh riding. At age 12, his strong work ethic and hustle began to take root when he delivered newspapers throughout town. He often retold the story of delivering papers on D-Day, saying he charged double for that edition because everyone wanted a copy. His next job was chopping ice from a block behind the Stein so his father could make drinks. As a sophomore, he was hired at the Star Mine. Although he did not come from a mining family, he often spoke of how warmly the miners treated him.

Though not large in stature, Jim lettered in football, basketball, and track all four years of high school. What he loved most, however, was being a thespian and performing in school plays. He was also involved in Key Club, DeMolay, chorus, student council, annual, boosters, and the Royal Order of the Rocky Mountain Goats. After graduating from Wallace High School in 1950, Jim attended the University of Idaho, where he pledged and was initiated into the Kappa Sigma fraternity.

His entrepreneurial spirit continued in Moscow, where he started a weekend sandwich business serving fraternities and sororities. He also worked as a hasher at the Tri Delt House, a job he truly loved. At the University of Idaho, he met the love of his life, Marietta Cloos, on a blind date. Jim knew immediately that she was the one, and they married in 1954.

Their next stop was St. Louis, Mo., where Jim attended and graduated from dental school through the ROTC program. After graduating in 1959, he was stationed in Giessen, Germany, with the rank of Army Captain. He and Marietta cherished their four years there, making lifelong friends, traveling, and attending wonderful parties. In 1964, they returned to Wallace, where Jim bought a dental practice and became a beloved, friendly dentist for more than 35 years.

Back in Wallace, Jim’s caring and volunteer spirit shone brightly. He had many interests, including bowling, golfing, playing cards, traveling, cheering on the Vandals and Mariners and telling stories to just about everyone he met, but his love for the Wallace Elks became his real passion. He was a member for more than 65 years. He served twice as Exalted Ruler, sat on the Board of Trustees, chaired Youth Activities for more than 30 years, and earned several awards for the lodge. He also served as State President and on several state and national Elks committees. Jim and Marietta traveled to many Elks conventions, where he seemed to know everyone. He could strike up a conversation and make friends wherever he went. He was inducted into the State Hall of Honor in 1987.

Jim was also involved in the Drum and Bugle Corps, Gyros, the Wallace Centennial Celebration as co-chairman, the Congregational Church as a deacon, the Lookout Pass Ski Association as president, Deacon of the United Church of Christ Congregational, the PTO as president, and the Boy Scouts of America, where he received the District Award of Merit for distinguished service. He was also Santa all over town. He would not be happy if we failed to mention that he is in both the Wallace High School Sports Hall of Fame and the Idaho State Sports Hall of Fame.

As he proudly said, the most important and fulfilling role of his life was being a husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Jim was a deeply hands-on father. He coached sports, led Boy Scout groups, attended countless sporting events, rubbed backs, and, most importantly, supported his children in all their adventures. He passed on his love of singing, enjoyed a good old-fashioned, and in the summers could often be found with the family at their lake cabin.

Jim retired from his dental practice in 1999. He and Marietta moved to Coeur d’Alene to be closer to their grandchildren, and the cycle of attending plays, sporting events, and concerts began again. Of course, none of those events mattered more than family dinners, birthday parties, lake adventures, and family get-togethers. Doc also continued working at Post Falls Family Dental with his son, Ken. He also continued his community service by volunteering to read with children at Borah Elementary and serving as President of the Idaho Athletic Hall of Fame, helping put on the North Idaho Sports Banquet from 2003-2018.

After Marietta passed away in 2012, Jim married Marian Owsley. They brought each other a great deal of love and joy and spent many wonderful years traveling, dancing, playing bridge, and enjoying winters by the pool in Arizona.

We asked our dad if he had any regrets, and he answered, “I have no regrets. I tried my best — didn’t always succeed — I loved people — being involved — children, all of them — best wives — will remember them always.” To live with no regrets, to touch so many lives in such a positive way, to make friends wherever you go, to be involved, and to have fun — congratulations on a life well lived. You will be so missed.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Jim and Bea; sisters, Shirley and Ann; and wife, Marietta.

Jim leaves behind wife Marian; children: Leanne (Dave) Gillette, John (Mary) Lynn, Laurie (Jesse) Wittrock, Amy Lynn (Michele), Ken (Carrie) Lynn; grandchildren Ondia (Carlo) Marano, Shanelle (Paul) Young, Christina (Casey) Lindsey, Kimberly Lynn, Jimmy Wittrock (Darwin), Danny Wittrock (Rob), Aaron (Jessica) Wittrock, Aliah Lynn (Kiva), Richael Paxson, Mariah (Slater) Heckman, Jakob Lynn (Anna), Hannah (Parker) Gorrill, Gabe Araiza (Maddie); great-grandchildren Abby Prince, Avalon Young, Ryan Paxson, Rylee Paxson, Rory Paxson, Indigo Heckman, Oliver Lynn, and Luca Gorrill.

The Lynn family would like to thank Garden Plaza Assisted Living, Sherri and Jorge of Home Instead and Auburn Crest Hospice for the care and compassion they showed Jim.

A celebration of Jim’s life will be held at the Wallace Elks, Saturday, Oct. 17, at 2 p.m. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Wallace Elks #331, 419 Cedar St., Wallace, ID 83873, or to the Wallace Christmas Fund, P.O. Box 304, Silverton, ID 83867.

    Lynn