1937-2007

On Saturday, December 22, 2007, Cache Valley lost it’s finest fly fishermen. After surviving a courageous battle with colon cancer in the end pneumonia took his life.

James Avon Lake was born on August 11, 1937 to Hubert Avon and Kathryn Amanda Bennett Lake in Hermosa Beach, California.

He was raised for the most part in Pocatello and on their family farm in Rigby, Idaho. It was there during his early childhood that he found his passion for fly fishing and the outdoors. He joined the Air Force at seventeen and was a jet mechanic on the B-52’s.

It was while stationed in Oxford, England he met the love of his life, June Winifred Stimson. They were soon married and together were blessed with four daughters. Shortly after they married he was stationed in Roswell, New Mexico.

After serving in the Air Force the family moved to El Segundo, California where they were sealed as a family for all time and eternity in the Los Angeles California temple (1971). He was employed At Chevron Oil Refinery and quickly became their lead mechanic.

After retiring from Chevron he and our mother moved to Cache Valley, Utah. The reason for locating in Cache Valley was purely for fishing. He spent all of his vacation in Utah while living in California fishing the Logan and Blacksmith Fork Rivers, his favorite place came to be fishing the Bear River on the Oneida Narrows.

When he came to Cache Valley he bought a business we called “Lake’s Garage” located on the southeast corner of Hwy 91 & the Hyde Park Lane. But after living here a short time he found there was nowhere in the valley to buy the fishing equipment that he was accustomed to. He decided to add a side business inside the garage and the name was changed to “Lake’s Garage and Custom Rod Shop."

He was an excellent mechanic and dedicated fly fishermen. He was always very proud that he was able to teach others the art of fly fishing and tying. He spent many years teaching both fly fishing and rod building classes at the Logan High School.

Jim and about four to five others started the fishing club “Cache Anglers”, which has now grown to hundreds of members. After retiring and closing Lake’s Garage he was able to work his dream job, getting paid for his fishing knowledge at Round Rocks, Inc. He loved his job and friendships he had at Round Rocks.

His sense of humor touched many; he even had a sense on humor with the hospital staff when he was very ill.

He is survived by his sweetheart, June “Winnie”, who is saddened but eagerly awaits their joyful reunion, three daughters, Karla (Robert) Chambers of Logan, Karyn (Don) Cawdrey of Millville and Paula (Jeff) Purser of Hyde Park. Seven Grandchildren, Devon Nelson, Melissa Barrett, Craig Foley, Luke Purser, Kara (Tommy) Thompson, Jessica Barrett and Robyn Thomas. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Rosanne, his Mother and Father and his Mother and Father-in-law.

A commemoration of his life will be held on Friday, December 28, 2007 at the Hyde Park Stake Center located at 535 E. 200 S. Hyde Park with the services beginning at noon with Bishop Roger M. Welsh conducting. In keeping with his wishes there will be no public viewing. There will be a visitation at the church prior to services from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Services will be held under the direction of the Allen Mortuary in North Logan.

In lieu of flowers, monetary donations would be appreciated and can be sent to the family at P.O. Box 429, Hyde Park, Utah 84318.

Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at Allen Mortuaries.