Lynn Austin "Jesse" James
Marriages
Patricia Joan Caley
Burial Details
Obituaries
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 7B Death Notice - May 10, 2017
Lynn A. James, 96, Grand Junction, died May 5, 2017, at his
home.
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.
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 7B Obituary - May 24, 2017
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.
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 3D Obituary - May 28, 2017
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.
