James Lee Dykman

James Lee Dykman, beloved husband, father, friend, and teacher, left this life for better one on May 23, 2025.

He is survived by his wife Judith Bowers Dykman, son Nathan, daughters Alyssa and Rachel. Four grandchildren, Madison, Emma, Lucas, and Esther.

He is the sole remaining member of his family; father Herman, Mother Erma, brother Keith and sister Jeanne preceded him in death.

He was born September 22, 1948, in rural Blue Dome, Idaho because his father raised sheep for many years. Jim attended a two-room elementary school. When he was ready for high school he lived with a family in Pocatello, Idaho where he attended Highland High School and graduated in 1948. He thrived in the larger city environment and graduated with honors despite working several nights a week in a nearby bowling alley to support himself. Following high school, he briefly attended Idaho State University and played for the school’s basketball team until a knee injury forced him off the team. While he attended Idaho State, he met an individual who was transferring to Brigham Young University to study Anthropology, so he also transferred after he learned more about the school’s program.

He enlisted in the US Navy during the Vietnam war and served as a radio operator. (Many years later he re-enlisted in the Naval Reserves and served in the Intelligence Division tracking Russian submarines from Japan, Hawaii and Guam) Upon discharge from active duty, he resumed his university studies at B.Y.U and completed a Bachelors and Master of Science degrees in Anthropology. His focus during these years and immediately after he received his master’s degree was field work which gave him the opportunity to work for the Utah State Historical Society. After he became a full-time employee in 1977, he worked in the Preservation Department and eventually served as the Deputy SHPO until he retired 28 years later. Prior to retiring from the WSHS his active curious mind led him to teaching so he joined Salt Lake Community College staff as an adjunct professor in 1995. In 2003, just prior to receiving tenure status at the college in 2005, he was honored with a Teaching Excellence Award and began serving on the Faculty Senate. He valued his opportunities to teach and associate with students, so his Archeology Field School, Cultural Anthropology, and Sacred Traditions courses were popular.

He was beloved by his students and colleagues who were grateful when in 2019 he came back to teach part time whenever he was needed after he had retired at the age of 70.

He dearly loved his children and kept his promise to provide and care for them. In response, they honored him by following in his footsteps earning degrees in computer science, theatre, and anthropology. His close relationship and Love for Judy gave him an opportunity to work with her Utah History classes as the two conducted 26 fieldtrips to Mesa Verde National Park, Edge of the Cedars National Monument, Utah’s Dinosaur Museum, trips along the Pony Express Trail and Golden Spike National Monument at Promontory Point. This is where the Union and Central Pacific Railroad’s met in 1869 connecting eastern railroads with the west coast of the United States.

Jim will be greatly missed by his family, friends, students, and all he touched during his life.

His Memorial Service will be held May 30, 2025, at 11:00 am located at Olympus 3rd Ward located at 4100 So Camille Street, Holladay Utah. (Street is just South of Olympus High School.)