James Dean Lynn

James Dean Lynn, age 80, of Galesburg, MI, died unexpectedly in his home on Tuesday, May 7, 2019. Jim was born on January 20, 1939 in Petoskey, MI to Delbert and Arleen Lynn of Bellaire, MI. Jim enjoyed hunting and fishing from childhood into adulthood. The younger of two boys, he grew up on the family farm. He earned enough to put himself through college by raising dachshunds. He graduated twice from Central Michigan University, once with a Bachelor of Science degree and a second time with a Master's Degree in Education.
Jim met Margaret Ann Murray from East Jordan Michigan at CMU and they married on June 24, 1961. Jim started his career in education as a sixth-grade teacher in Riverview, MI. He later became a middle school principal in Elk Rapids, MI. In 1972, he moved his family to Negaunee, MI. He had obtained a position as a salesperson for Doubleday Bros. & Co. and his territory was the entire Upper Peninsula of Michigan. He loved being able to travel in 'God's Country', and he knew the location of every waterfall in the entire U.P. Each summer, he took his growing family camping to every campground in the U.P. Jim and his family moved to Galesburg in the early 1980s when he became a vice president at Doubleday.
In the late 1980s, Jim returned to education. He was a principal at St. Augustine's in Kalamazoo, then taught at St. Margaret's in Otsego and eventually became the principal there. Jim spent a year in Japan teaching English and maintained contact with many students from Japan for the remainder of his life. Upon his return from Japan he taught at St. Mary's in Kalamazoo.
When he retired, Jim spent much of his time gardening, reading and spoiling his beloved Golden Retrievers and guinea pigs.
Jim is preceded in death by Margaret, his parents and brother William (Doris) Crandall and is survived by his children Theresa, Jim, Lisa (Gary), Diana (Bruce), Steve (Vicky) and Kristi (Darren); grandchildren Amanda, TJ, Elaina, Claire, Andrew, Michael, Nora, Amy, Asa and Melia; and nieces and nephews Julie, Jeff and Tom on his side of the family and many on Margaret's side.
The family is welcoming visitors to Jim's home on Sunday, May 19th from noon to 3 pm. A memorial ritual will take place there at 1:30 pm. Following the gathering, cremation will take place and interment will follow at a later date in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to ASPCA, the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's research, or Wings of Hope Hospice in Allegan, MI.
The family wishes to thank the Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Department, the Medical Examiner's office and Langeland Family Funeral Homes for their sensitivity and professionalism. Jim will be remembered by those who love him as a proud father, father-in-law and grandfather.

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