Jim Wynn

He was born on April 18, 1928 in Harvey, North Dakota and then moved to Minneapolis, MN where he studied art. He served in the U.S. Army Medical Department from 1946-1949 where he met and married Lorraine Karstendiek in New Orleans after his honorable discharge. They briefly lived in Houma, New Iberia, Beaumont, and Alexandria where he worked at various newspapers as sports writer. They lived in Lake Charles from 1958-1972. He was Coordinator of Publications at McNeese State University and also sports broadcaster for the local Channel 7 television segment. He was the radio play-by-play announcer for the McNeese football and basketball games for many years. He was known as the “Voice of the McNeese Cowboys.” He was also the Director of Information Services at Georgia Tech in Atlanta, GA before moving to Abbeville and New Iberia working again as Editor in the newspaper business. He ended his career as Coordinator of Publications for the Calcasieu Parish School Board for 12 years.

He was a member of the Lake Charles Rotary Club and served as President for 1 term, Executive Secretary Treasurer for 20 years, and received the Rotarian of the Year award. He was the Chairman of the Freedom of Information Committee for the Louisiana Press Association for 17 years. He was the President and Treasurer for the Louisiana Sports Writer Association during his 20 years as a member.

He received numerous awards for his newspaper work including the Associated Press Hal Boyle Award for best column in Louisiana and Mississippi and best column for Wick Newspaper. He was very proud to be one of the founding fathers of the Louisiana Sports Writers Association and in 2006 was awarded the Distinguished Service Award in Sports Journalism and inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame.

Jim and Lorraine traveled to Ireland and celebrated their 50th anniversary on a Hawaiian cruise. They also enjoyed many family trips to watch the Houston Astros. He and Lorraine served as Lay Readers for Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Sulphur, and he was past president of the Parish Council. He was also the Vice President of Communications for the Serra Club of Lake Charles.

Jim loved gardening, cooking, reading and watching sports, mainly the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the McNeese Cowboys. Lorraine and Jim cooked side by side in the kitchen, creating many delicious meals and memories for their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Survivors include his four daughters, Sharon Ashford of Lake Charles, Doreen “Bo” Finnie (Tom) of Carlyss, Kitty Gavel (Jeff) of Sulphur, and CiCi Gibson (Dan) of Carencro; nine granddaughters Jenny Mendez, Kristen Manshack, Katie Maddox, Aimee Benoit, Wendy Kleinpeter, Lauren Gibson, Haley Mouton, Alison Gibson, and Marissa Gavel; and twelve great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Lorraine Wynn; his parents, William and Mathilda Wynn, and his sisters and brothers.

A memorial visitation will be held at Hixson-Sulphur Memorial Funeral Home on Sunday, November 11, from 5-8 p.m. with a Rosary at 7 p.m. A memorial mass will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, November 12 in Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Sulphur. The Rev. Aubrey Guilbeau will officiate. Inurnment will be held in Consolata Cemetery. Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.hixsonfuneralhomes.com.

The family would like to thank the staff at the Gardens/ Guardian House, Harbor Hospice, and Dr. Karam for their care. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Immaculate Conception Church, 2700 Maplewood Dr., Sulphur, LA 70663.