Lyno Sullivan

Lyno Lewis Sullivan, 74, passed away in Billings on March 4, 2025. He was born in Billings to Oliver and Helen Sullivan (Lumley) on March 15, 1950. Lyno spent his early years in Helena, where his father served as Commissioner of Labor and Industry, and he spent his school years in Billings. From his early years he was intelligent and curious, even taking apart the kitchen refrigerator because he “wanted to see how it worked.” He loved books and music, and spent a lot of time hanging out in Pioneer Park, just down the street from the family home on Avenue D.

He attended college at the University of Montana in Missoula, where he met the love of his life, Julie Price. After graduating with bachelor's degrees in Computer Science and Economics he entered the Peace Corps and was sent to Kingston, Jamaica. In December 1972 Julie visited him in Jamaica, he proposed, and they were married; she wore a sundress, and he wore Levi's 501s. Julie also entered the Peace Corps, and they stayed in Jamaica until July 1975.

Upon their return to the US they lived in Billings briefly, then moved to Denver, where Lyno embarked on a career in computer systems development, and their son Jonah was born. They moved to Waterbury, Vermont in 1980. Lyno worked as a contractor for the State of Vermont, and developed a computer system to administer financial aid to low-income families with children. The program was subsequently adopted by other states and territories, and is still in use in some states today. Their daughter Rachel was born in 1984, and a few months later they moved to Pierre, South Dakota. They moved again in 1987 to Minnesota where Lyno continued his work for various state government agencies. They lived there for 37 years, raising their children in Stillwater, MN and moving as empty-nesters to a house on a lake in Woodbury, MN. They returned to Billings in 2024.

Lyno was funny, smart, and loving. He loved nothing more than to spend time in deep conversations and debate with family and friends. He and Julie traveled back to Montana several times each year for family holidays and family reunions. He was proud of his family history and enjoyed capturing family memories through photography, recordings, and writing down family stories. He loved reading and books, read widely on a variety of subjects, and had an extensive, eclectic book collection. He and Julie had a small book publishing company in the early 1990s, Nu Ink Unlimited. Lyno was also a writer; he journaled and wrote for his blog, and self-published a book he wrote under the pen name Lyno Newland: Newland 2084. Lyno was an inventor, and filed several patents. He was a member of the Rotary Club in Stillwater, MN. He was also very interested and engaged in politics throughout his life, and ran for Minnesota State Senate in 2000.

Lyno was deeply loved by family and friends, and will be dearly missed. Lyno was preceded in death by his parents, and sisters Rita Reno and Sharmon Brougham. He is survived by his wife Julie Sullivan; his sister Jere Duncan; children Jonah (Tristina), and Rachel (Parker); and grandchildren Rayne (Daniel), Logan, Brooklyn, Charlee, Caleb and Rovene, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Cremation has taken place with Dahl Funeral Chapel, and a celebration of life will be held later in 2025. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to an educational institution, scholarship fund, or charity of your choice.