Neil J Lynch

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Neil J. Lynch, a beloved husband to F. Charlotte Lynch, and devoted father to Kim (Don) O’Hair, Anne Marie (Len) DeClercq, Joe Lynch, Marcy (Brian) Gallup, and Kelly (Jason) Griswold, on Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 90. Neil was born on September 18, 1934, in Butte, Montana, to Marie and Earl Lynch.

After attending Holy Savior grade school in McQueen graduating in 1948, he graduated from Boys Central High School in 1952. Neil then attended Santa Clara University in Santa Clara, California, for a single year before transferring to Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana, where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree, with minors in Mathematics, Physics, and History graduating in 1957.

In 1958 Neil enrolled at Columbus Law School in Washington, D.C., while working as a Patent Examiner at the U.S. Patent office, however, after two years in D.C., he returned to Montana where he became employed by the Montana Power Company as an operator at the Madison Dam on the Madison River. Thereafter, he moved to Great Falls, Montana, wherein he worked in customer service and as an operator/dispatcher at the Great Falls Black Eagle Dam on the Missouri River, continuing his study of law and eventually challenging and passing the Montana State Bar in 1962. In 1963 he became Counsel as an Assistant Attorney General for the Railroad Commission in Helena, Montana, In 1964 he moved to Butte, Montana, becoming a law partner with Earl Genzberger. In 1966 Neil became President of the Silver Bow Democratic Club followed by his election to the Montana State Senate from Silver Bow County in 1968, then Senate Majority Leader until 1976, when he was nominated to the Montana Supreme Court but failed in the General Election. This was followed by an appointment to the Montana Board of Education for three years. In the meantime Neil joined Mark Sullivan and then Lew Brown in the practice of Law In Butte. Due to an injury from a motorcycle accident, Neil retired from the practice of law in 1984, at which time he pursued various activities until he was partially paralyzed with a broken back from a fall in 1991.

Neil was very passionate in business activities starting in his childhood ranging from a paper boy, to door-to-door shoe shining, selling Christmas and greeting cards, to working the parking lot next to Butte High School stadium during football games, including the Bobcat-Grizzly match, just to name a few. Living at the base of the Main Range of the Continental Divide he enjoyed numerous outdoor activities. While in High School during the summer he worked as a carpenter, first working on the construction of the Butte Civic Center. He also worked as a salesman and installer of home improvement products for the Butte Sash and Door Company. Over the years, Neil was an avid book collector, filling every vacant wall in their homes with bookshelves, overflowing with all genres.

During his political career, Neil was a fierce proponent of Montana Tech in Butte, Montana, initiating a resolution in the Montana State Senate to allow the college to grant degrees in liberal arts. He also sponsored legislation to allow the practice of Acupuncture in the State of Montana, which faced opposition from the medical community. Neil introduced several bills, which included allowing personalized license plates in the State of Montana, which also faced opposition, but has become a source of additional funds for Montana and charitable organizations throughout the state; he introduced legislation that prevented insurance companies from cancelling a policy without a (30) days notice, plus other such consumer protection measures, just to name a few. After serving for (8) years, Neil retired from the Montana State Senate.

On April 4, 1959, Neil met Frankie Charlotte Sparks and they were married in Washington D.C., at St. Stephens Catholic Church during the Cherry Blossom Festival, and were blessed with a wonderful marriage for (66) years. While living in Washington, D.C., Neil and Charlotte had their first child Kimberly. Thereafter, the family returned to Montana where they went on to have four more children, Anne Marie, Neil Joseph, Jr., (Joe), Marcella, and Kelly. The family resided in Butte for over (40) years until 2005.

While living in Butte, Neil was a member of the Butte Celebrations where he eventually became the president and initiated the modern St. Patrick’s Day Parade in 1981. He was also a member of the Butte Exchange Clue, Butte Local Development Corporation, the Butte Gourmet Club, Montana Easter Seals Society (President), American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Silver Bow Chautauqua (founder), Silver Bow Bar Association. In addition to being admitted to the practice of Law in Montana, he was also admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court upon the motion of Senator Burton K. Wheeler, the Interstate Commerce Commission and the Federal District Courts. Neil actively engaged in construction, building or remodeling over twenty homes including the family residence on Hartford Avenue, in Butte. Charlotte and Neil have been residents of Gallatin County since 2005, but have owned Casa De Roca in Gallatin Canyon since 1981. Neil wrote or composed three books: “Butte Centennial Recollections”, “The Montana Legislature Through the Years”, and in 2000 pictures of “McQueen Thirty Years Ago”.

Neil is survived by his wife, Charlotte, children, Kim, Anne Marie, Joe, Marcy and Kelly; Grandchildren Paul, Clare, Levi, Bo, Marisa, Josh, Charissa, Christine, Brilee and Ellis; Great Grandchildren, Mackenzie, Rhyann, Karter, Kalli, Felix, and Ewan; as well as brother Jim Lynch, as well as many nieces and nephews, and loving relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents Earl and Marie Lynch, his brother Jack Lynch, and most of his good friends from Butte.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Butte-Silver Bow Public Library (406) 792-1080, the Bozeman Public Library (406) 582-2400 or the Montana Democratic Party (406) 442-9520.