James Borden Lynch

James Borden Lynch Obituary: James Borden Lynch, 73, died at 12:20 p.m. on Tuesday, December 30, 2025 at Missouri Baptist Medical Center. He was born December 9, 1952 in Charlotte, NC, the son of the late Herbert Adolphus and Doris Louise (Hiller) Lynch. Following service in the United States Army, Jim graduated from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill in 1976, where he majored in political science and acquired a lifelong love of the North Carolina Tar Heels. He then attended the University of Virginia School of Law, graduating in 1980. There he made lifelong friends, particularly with his small section (Section L), many of whom continued to regularly share news and memories and even take trips together more than 40 years after the conclusion of their time in Charlottesville. Although a native of the Southeast, Jim’s career next took him to the frozen plains of Minnesota, where he began working as an attorney at the law firm of Dorsey & Whitney in Minneapolis. He began as a trial lawyer and later served as longstanding counsel to numerous medical associations and medical certifying boards—including the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Board of Ophthalmology, as well as the American Board of Radiology. Here, too, he acquired not only clients but lifelong friends, particularly through his decades as legal counsel to the AAO’s Ethics Committee. In Minneapolis, Jim met, and on May 12, 1990, married Melissa Draper, who survives. Also surviving are his son, Daniel Draper Lynch of Washington, D.C., two sisters, Jane Lynch of Durham, NC and Frances Tuttle of Orinda, CA, a nephew, Tim Hultzman (Sarah Guidi) of Raleigh, NC, great nephew Theo Hultzman and great niece Linden Hultzman, cousin Herbert Harriss (Karen) of Wilmington, NC, his mother-in-law, Patricia Draper of Bethalto, and cousins-in-law Joyce Fleming (Gary) of Alton, Julie Fleming-Vambaketes of East Alton, and Dr. Jason Fleming of Carmel, IN. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his father-in-law, George M. Draper of Bethalto. Visitation will start at 10:30 AM on Monday, January 12, 2026 followed by a brief service at 11:00 led by Father John Wykes. Burial will be at Bunker Hill Cemetery with military honors. Memorials may be made to Doctors Without Borders, World Central Kitchen, or the American Cancer Society. Additional information and online guestbook may be found at www.gentfuneralhome.com

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James Borden Lynch

December 9, 1952 - December 30, 2025