Obituary of Lynn Carol Colson (Jones)

Lynn Carol (Jones) Colson, age 74 formerly of Meridian, Idaho passed away Monday, February 8, 2021 with family by her side. Lynn was born the oldest of six children to Norman and Mamie (Penzien) Jones in Nampa, Idaho in 1946. At the age of 23 she married her husband of 51 years, William (Bill) Colson and together had three children.

Lynn was a graduate of Boise High School in 1963 and received her BS from Boise State University in 1968 after switching majors from the medical field to Elementary Education.  Shortly after high school both her and Bill joined the Bogus Basin Ski Patrol. Lynn began her elementary education teaching career, teaching in Mt. Home, Id., and at Eagle and Ustick Elementary schools in the Boise area and later as a substitute teacher once retired.  While teaching, Lynn and Bill became the first husband and wife team in Boise to own and operate an ambulance company as Certified Ambulance Technicians. During this time, some would say their other job was volunteering weekends at Owyhee Motorcycle’s Peaceful Cove Track in Boise providing medical services.

Lynn was very proud of her family and prided herself on giving her children endless opportunities. As a child she was an avid hunter with her dad and brothers Doug and Lee which she passed onto her family with a family horseback hunting trip every October. She also became heavily involved in endurance racing with horses, the Ada County Sherriff’s Mounted Posse-ettes Drill team, as a 4-H mom and leader for the Bandits 4-H Riding Club, and a proud mother of three FFA kids; all spanning a timeframe over 25 years.

Lynn was an educator in every capacity. When her son Allen joined the military through Civil Air Patrol (CAP) in the early 90’s, Lynn and her family followed suit by becoming active participants in Civil Air Patrol (CAP). In the years to follow, Lynn and her husband Bill would go on to become prominent fixtures within CAP with Bill being appointed the Boise Squadron Commander, Lynn becoming heavily involved in the Aerospace Education portion of the squadron. Lynn’s knowledge and dedication allowed her to obtain positions on the Idaho Wing, Regional Wing, and even National levels, which she gladly accepted over the 30 years of her involvement up to her retiring from CAP as a LT Col. Lynn’s contributions to CAP in the areas of Aerospace Education, Search and Rescue, and many other partnerships are still being utilized today.

Lynn was a highly active person and always giving to everyone else before giving to herself. There was not just one thing she would be working on but multiple things. Besides her long-standing affiliations with 4-H and Civil Air Patrol, Lynn taught Ethnic Education through the University of Idaho, helped run the Boise River Festival for 10 years, and taught Community Education oil painting classes.

Lynn is preceded in death by her parents Norman and Mamie Jones and younger brothers Donald and Robin. Lynn is survived by her husband of 51 years, William (Bill); son, Allen Colson and his wife Shannon; daughter Carol Abbott and her husband Tom; daughter Kathleen Mautz and her husband Shawn; 4 grandchildren, Austin, Charleston, Kaylina, Wyatt; brothers Doug and Lee Jones; sister Susan Elcox; and numerous, nieces, nephews, and cousins. A celebration of her life will be scheduled later in the summer.  A memorial fund has been created in Lynn’s name in lieu of flowers. Donations can be sent to Carol Abbott c/o Lynn Colson at 1150 Bacchus Dr. #C, Lafayette, CO  80026 and applied towards the Celebration of her Life.  An online guest book through Accenfuneral.com has been created in Lynn’s honor for family and friends to sign.