James "Jim" Winston Lynn

James “Jim” Winston Lynn, 81, passed away on November 23, 2017 in Great Falls. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 9, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at O’Connor Memorial Chapel, followed by burial of ashes with military honors at Highland Cemetery. Schnider Funeral Home is handling arrangements. Jim was born November 1, 1936 in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania. He was raised and worked on the family farm in Thurmont, Maryland, with his brothers Don, Albert, and George until graduating from Thurmont High School in 1954. Jim was sworn in to the United States Air Force on January 5, 1955. After basic training and various exams, Jim was found to have an aptitude for electronics and was later assigned to the 6901st Special Communications Group in Germany. Upon his discharge in November 1958, Jim purchased himself a new steel guitar, joined up with a few friends he had met in the service and began his career traveling as a professional musician. While playing music in Grand Forks, ND, Jim met Ethel Rose Snortland of Tolna, ND. On January 1, 1962, they were married. In 1963 came the birth of their daughter, Misty. A few months after Misty's birth, Jim's music career led the family to Great Falls, MT, which quickly became their new home. After settling in Montana, he continued for several years making his living playing steel guitar and singing at local clubs such as the J Bar T, and The Ranch. 1968 brought the birth of their son, Thomas. In 1971, he was hired as a Patrolman with the Great Falls Police Department and shortly thereafter also joined the Montana Air National Guard. Jim left the Great Falls Police Department in 1978, as a Senior Patrolman. He left the GFPD for a full time position in Communications at MANG until he retired in 1994 as a Master Sergeant. Jim and Ethel shared 22 years of marriage but ultimately divorced in 1984. In 1986, he joined good friend and fellow musician, Dave Wilson on the long running radio show Grass Roots Gold which continued to be a labor of love for Jim until his death. On November 9, 1996, Jim married Janet Haffner of Great Falls. Jim and Janet spent much time traveling in their 5th wheel, going as far as North Carolina to see RJ or just putzing around on the banks of the Missouri just outside of town. They spent time attending their grandchildren's numerous sporting events from Great Falls to Geyser, and Jim often helped out as sound man for different school musical functions. Jim and Janet became well known for their personalized birthday cards created on his computer. The cards would be filled with photos chronologizing the year past for the honoree from the numerous photos Jim took while attending family events. In his last years, Jim and Janet enjoyed and often found time to feed the ducks at Gibson Park. Jim's life can best be summarized in his own words written 7 years ago: “I’m seventy-four years old, which is surprising to me. I never in my wildest dreams would have guessed that I would be around this long. I’ve lived more in these seventy-some years than most people could jam into two hundred seventy years. I’ve fulfilled most all of my dreams, like; sailing: I’ve sailed, not on the high seas, but often on lakes and streams. Flying; I’ve got my pilot’s license tucked away and lots of flying time in single engine prop jobs as well as military jet fighters. Hiking and skiing and traveling around the world. I’ve done all these things and more. I’ve loved playing music, and I have since I was fourteen years old; I’ve performed music around the world and before a United States President, Ronald Reagan. After performing before him, I had a beer and chatted with a sitting Vice President, George H. W. Bush. I was a Police Officer and the first Senior Patrolman on the force, Master Sergeant in the Montana Air National Guard, from which I retired with full honors. I was Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5590 for two consecutive years. I’ve been married to two beautiful, extremely intelligent ladies. I’ve got two children that I couldn’t be more proud of, nor love more. Plus my grandchildren and stepchildren and step grandchildren, and even a great-step grandchild, all of whom seem to care for me (discounting the latter, who isn’t old enough to let me know, yet).If that isn’t a full life, I can’t imagine what could better qualify.” -James Lynn Jim was preceded in death by his father, Tom Lynn and mother Rose Lynn. He is survived by his wife, Janet Loretta Haffner-Lynn of Great Falls; brothers Don Lynn, Albert Lynn, and George Lynn; sister Sandy (Bob) Fahmestock; daughter Misty (Clayton) Annala; son Thomas Lynn; stepsons RJ (Penny) Haffner, Fred Haffner, Tyler (Deidra) Haffner; grandchildren Jake and Jessy Annala and Jake, Jordan, Kayla, Dustin (Alexis), Zack, Gabe, Samantha, and Violet Haffner; and great-grandchildren Elizabeth, Ricky and Junior.