G. Tom Lynn, lifetime Powell resident and businessman, died peacefully with his family by his side in Billings on Jan. 16 after a short (but recurring) battle with cancer. He was 76 years old.
Tom was born March 8, 1942, in Lovell to parents Leonard and Ruth (Yates) Lynn. He was the second youngest of nine siblings, growing up in Mantua Draw, Elk Basin and Powell, where he attended school. He graduated from Powell High School in 1960 and then attended Northwest College.
In 1961, Tom married Karen Jean Good and had children Deb and Scott. Tom and Karen made their home on the “farm” south of Powell. Over the years, they enjoyed traveling to their kids’ sporting events as well as other adventurous places with close friends and family.
They especially enjoyed having their greenhouse and the longtime customers that came out each spring. Karen passed away in 1998 also after battling cancer. Tom soon met Connie Blecke, and for the next 20 years Tom and Connie became constant companions (with dog Roscoe) chasing around grandkids and embarking on many adventures in Wyoming and Arizona in the winter.
Over the years, Tom worked for Park County Weed and Pest and later was involved in several successful business enterprises. In the mid 1970s, Tom started Western Spraying, which employed many young people, who still today, speak fondly of the summers they spent spraying weeds. After he sold that business, Tom sold real estate and ag supplies.
He also sold sugar beet seed for Hilleshog and at one time covered an area from south Montana, through the Big Horn Basin and into central Wyoming, a career that lasted over 35 years. He thoroughly enjoyed visiting customers and friends he made while peddling seed. Tom also had numerous hobbies such as collecting farm toys, BB guns, pedal-cars, old “anything” as well as “unusual knickknacks”.
Tom was a very talented woodworker and woodcarver, making some beautiful pieces of art. He didn’t just dabble in them, he dove head-first. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, brothers McKay and Bill Lynn and sisters/brothers-in-laws, Norma (Lloyd) Baird, Dorothy (Harvey) Lohrenz, Mary (Carmen) DeCarlo, Bud Baird and nephew Jake Lohrenz, whom Tom had a special friendship with.
He is survived by his loving companion Connie Blecke of Powell; daughter, Deb (Dave) Dougherty of Shepherd, Montana; and son, Scott (Molly) of Powell; Tom’s grandchildren (who he adored! ), Devin Lynn of Denver, Colorado, Cassidy Lynn of Kimball, Nebraska, Hayden and Spencer Dougherty of Billings, Montana, and Bailey Dougherty of Bozeman, Montana. He is also survived by his brother Rod (Becky) Lynn of Cody; sisters Georgia (Thayer) Cox of Powell and Jen Baird of Billings; sister-in-law Joyce Lynn; brothers/sisters-in-law Kenny and Judy Good and Peggy and Mel Hawley, all of Powell, along with many nieces and nephews.
Piddling with his “stuff” was his love, family and friends were his passion … and he relished in drinking a “Velvet and water” and telling “stories” with his many friends. Memorials may be made to the Powell Animal Shelter, 3-Dog Rescue (Cody), or a charity of one’s choice. Memorial services were held at the Elks Hall in Powell on Saturday, Jan.
19. Private interment will be at a later date. Thompson Funeral Home assisted with arrangements.
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