Feb. 26, 1928 ~ April 27, 2025
Born Feb. 26, 1928, to John Francis Rynn and Chrystel M. Tucholska Rynn in Toledo, Ohio, where he was raised with his younger brothers Richard T. and Joseph E. Rynn.
Jim attended St. James grade school and graduated from Central Catholic High in 1946 and enlisted in the US Army, serving in Japan until 1948. In 1952 he graduated from the University of Toledo, married Regina Welter and headed West to San Bernardino, California, where they raised seven children.
Employed by the USAF, he worked for the Space and Missile System Office, involved in fielding and activation of the Atlas, Titan, and Minuteman ICBM’s throughout the US.
In 1969 he earned his master’s degree in aerospace management at USC and became an Auditor with the USAF civil service at Norton Airforce Base.
He retired in 1986, moved solo to Meeker, Colorado, by where he bought land, built a log house, and enjoyed hunting, fishing, and the quiet solitude of the great outdoors. He spent 33 years working on the ranch and his Willy’s jeeps, joined the VFW, and hosted pig roasts for his wonderful neighbors surrounding his beloved home.
In 2019, when he could no longer get around the property, he went to stay with his daughter Kathleen (Kate) Wilson and her husband Steve in Cave Creek, where he shared their home for about three years, before moving to a nearby group home to receive full-time care.
Jim was preceded in death by his youngest brother Joe and is survived by his brother Richard (Dick) in California. His wife of 32 years, Regina preceded him in death, as well as his eldest daughter Regina. He is survived by his six remaining children, James Rynn, Jr., (Rocky) Florida; Patricia Rynn, California; Marilyn Belieu, Arizona; Carolyn Frkovich, Washington; Kate Wilson, Arizona; and Daniel Rynn, California. He leaves 13 grandchildren: Isaiah Springer, Candace Duncan, Crystal Wedge, Benjamin, and Brandon Belieu, Nicloe Belieu-Smith, Alicia Stanek, Grace Rynn, Colin, Sean and Brenna Parker, Alexander and Nicolas Rynn, and 16 great-grandchildren.
Jim was a member of the American Legion, VFW, and Knights of Columbus.
A funeral mass will be celebrated May 30 at St. Gabriel Catholic Church 32648 N Cave Creek Rd., Cave Creek, AZ 85331 on Friday at 11 a.m., followed by interment at the National Memorial Cemetery 23029 N. Cave Creek Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85024 on Friday at 1 p.m.
