Lynn A. James

Services will take place at 11 a.m. May 30 at Callahan-Edfast Mortuary.

He was a physician.

Survivors include two sons, Bradley B. of Cherry Hills Village, and David C. of Clovis, California; one daughter, Lynn E. Holbrook of Fort Collins; 10 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions to HopeWest, 3090B N. 12th St., Grand Junction 81506; or to Colorado Mesa University, 1100 North Ave., Grand Junction 81506.

Lynn Austin James, M.D.

September 29, 1920 - May 5, 2017

Dr. Lynn (also known as ""Jess/Jesse"") James passed away peacefully at home in Grand Junction on May 5, 2017.

The youngest of four siblings, Lynn was born in Delphos, Kansas and was raised in Sterling, Nebraska. He attended the University of Nebraska undergraduate and medical school. It was during his college days that he acquired the nickname ""Jesse."" In the midst of his academic journey, Lynn met the love of his life, Patricia Joan Caley, who added ""James"" to her name in 1943. Of course, anyone married to ""Jesse"" had to have a nickname that suited, so she soon became known as ""Pistol Pete.""

Dr. James interned at the Detroit Receiving Hospital and served in the U.S. Army Medical Corps at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio and Fitzsimmons Army Hospital in Denver. He intended to work in cardiology, but was assigned to pulmonology and became involved in early research and treatment of tuberculosis. Dr. James completed an additional year of research at Fitzsimmons with Dr. James J. Waring (now Webb-Waring Center, University of Colorado) before joining the medical staff at Pueblo State Hospital where he helped establish the Medical/Surgical Residency.

In 1951, Dr. James moved to Grand Junction to participate in a postgraduate training program at the VA Medical Center and finish the requirements of his medical boards. It was here that Dr. James met and began working with Dr. Geno Saccomanno collaborating on the detection and treatment of lung cancer. Subsequently both doctors testified before Congress regarding the lung cancer hazards of radiation for uranium miners. Dr. James joined Dr. G. Paul Smith in private practice, which led to a long partnership; they were later joined by Dr. Kenneth Matchett.

Jess enjoyed the arts, travel and a life-long love of golf. He and ""Pistol Pete"" traveled to many countries where he played golf and she enjoyed the culture. He also introduced his sons to the love of the game. Among many memorable golfing moments, his sons witnessed his 8th hole-in-one when he was 85 years old!

Jesse was an avid fan of all sports - especially his beloved Cornhuskers. He made the ""pilgrimage"" to Lincoln, NE for at least one Cornhusker football game every year - including last year when he was 96!

Dr. James served as co-director of St. Mary's Respiratory Care Program with Dr. Joel Bechtel and on the St. Mary's Board of Directors. In 1990 he received the prestigious ""Laureate Award"" as Internist of the Year, and in 2009 he was named St. Mary's Hospital's ""Physician of the Year."" He also served the community as an active member and past president of Rotary, was on the board and past president of the Mesa State Foundation, and was a founding member of Bookcliff Country Club.

Lynn James was preceded in death by wife, Patricia Caley James, February 2008. He is survived by his children, Brad (Carol) James of Cherry Hills Village, CO; David (Marla) James of Clovis, CA, and Lynn (Andrew) Holbrook of Ft. Collins, CO; ten grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. Granddaughter, Margot Becktell, PhD is an Associate Professor of Biological Sciences at CMU in Grand Junction.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to HopeWest (HopeWestCO.org) who provided remarkable, compassionate home hospice care at the end of his life, or to the James Family Scholarship at the Colorado Mesa University Foundation, 1450 N 12th Street, Grand Junction, CO 81501.

A memorial service will be held in the chapel at Callahan-Edfast, 2515 Patterson Road on Tuesday, May 30, at 11:00 a.m., followed by a Celebration of Life luncheon. Interment will be in Sterling, NE at a later date.