Lynn earned a B.S. degree from K-State in wildlife and fisheries biology in 1973, an M.S. degree in the same from the University of Arizona in 1975, and a D.D.S. degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 1979. Lynn has been active in the Herington community, serving as president of the Herington Chamber of Commerce, and as secretary of the Herington Economic Development Committee. He is presently a member of the Herington City Housing Board. An active church member, he sings regularly with the church choir. He is married to Anne Otte, and the couple has three grown children, one of whom is a K-State graduate while another is currently a K-State student in geology.