Dan Thomas LYNCH

Dan
14 Feb 1921 - 25 Apr 2015
Parents:
Calvin Earl Lynch and Elizabeth (Smith) Lynch
Mary
14 Sept 1923 - 10 Sept 2012
James T. and Ada (Reynolds) Byars

Marriage:
December 11, 1943 Fort Bragg, North Carolina

Obituary
ermertfuneralhome.com

Mr. Dan Thomas Lynch, 94, of Corning, AR., passed away Saturday, April 25, 2015 at Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro, AR. Mr. Lynch was born to Elizabeth Smith Lynch and Calvin Earl Lynch in Memphis, TN, February 14, 1921. He was raised in Mississippi County, attended school in Wilson until his Senior Year where he went to Mississippi Heights Academy, a boarding repertory school for college, where he graduated. He attended the University of Arkansas and then transferred to Arkansas State University where he was a member of Kappa Sigma Nu Fraternity and a member of the ASU Indian football team. When World War II began in 1941, Lynch got to stay in school because he was enrolled in ROTC. He went out on campus and recruited enough students to finish the football season, since so many young men had been drafted into the army there were not enough to field a team. The team played 5 games, scored one touchdown that was called back on a penalty and then ended the season. Lynch graduated from ASU in 1942 and entered the Army as a commissioned officer from the ROTC program.

While at ASU he met his future wife, Mary Ruth Byars at a college dance. They were married December 11, 1943 at Fort Bragg, NC, during the war and were married for 68 years.

Lynch spent a year in Germany flying recognizance missions and was honorable discharged with the rank of Captain. A resident of Corning for 66 years, Mr. Lynch was co-owner of a Chevrolet and Pontiac Dealership. He was the oldest member of the First Baptist Church where he had served as a trustee, Sunday School Superintendent, teacher of a young adult mens Sunday school class for many years and also served on various church committees. Also active in the community Mr. Lynch served as President of the Corning Chamber of Commerce, on its board, he was a one time member of the Corning City Council, was Little League Commissioner when the new ballpark Lillard Field was built in Corning. He was a member of the Young Mens Civic Club, Lions Club, Kiwanis Club and served as 4th of July Picnic chairman in 1957. This past 4th of July he was honored by the city to be the Grand Marshal of the Corning 4th of July Parade. He was actively involved in all his two daughters’ activities throughout their school years and attended all his grandson’s sporting and academic events throughout his life. He was privileged to attend his grandson’s high school, college, law school and masters in law school graduation from the University of Arkansas.

He was affectionately known as Dan to his grandson and all his grandson’s friends. He was an avid supporter of all Corning High School athletics. Mr. Lynch always had a smile for everyone and loved people and his family. In years past he and his wife traveled extensively and spent many winters in Florida with his family and friends.

He is survived by his daughters, Dana and husband Fred Brown of Corning, AR., Patricia and husband Jim Dixon of Tampa, FL.; his grandson Brandy Brown and wife Kelli; great grandchildren Ainsley and Witt Brown.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Ruth, and his 4 brothers Sonny, Maurice, Gilbert and Claude Lynch.

A celebration of his life will be conducted Tuesday, April 28, 2015 at 1:00 PM at the First Baptist Church in Corning, AR., with former pastor and personal friend Reverend Charles Lewis officiating. Mrs. Janet Moore will provide music for the service at Mr. Lynch's request. Burial will follow the service in the Corning Cemetery. Visitation will be held Tuesday, April 28, 2015 at the church from 11:30 AM until the time of service.

Pallbearers will be Truman Moore, Dick Walls, H. Albert Brown, Larry Green, Trey Neblett, III, and Tripp Pittman. Honorary pallbearers will be his Sunday School Class, Cliff Gifford, Thad Clark, and Amos Baker, Also serving as honorary will be F. B. Manatt, Bill Luter, Jim Holland, Ralph Crafton, J. H. Ermert, Mark Smith and Mike Smith.

Mr. Lynch's family request the in lieu of flowers that memorials would be made to Flo and Phil Hospice House, 400 East Street, Jonesboro, AR 72401 or First Baptist Church, 701 West 3rd Street, Corning, AR 72422 or Saint Jude's Children's Hospital, P.O. Box 1000, Department 142, Memphis, TN 38101-9908.

Obituary
ermertfuneralhome.com

CORNING — Mrs. Mary Ruth Byars Lynch, of Corning, died September 10, 2012 at the Flo & Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro. Mrs. Lynch was born to James T. and Ada Reynolds Byars in Jonesboro on September 14, 1923 and raised in Jonesboro, where she graduated from Jonesboro High School. On December 11, 1943 she married the love of her life, Dan Thomas Lynch in Fort Bragg, N.C., during WWII. They met at Arkansas State University.

A resident of Corning for 63 years, Mrs. Lynch was a homemaker, wife and mother. She was an active member of The First Baptist Church for 63 years, serving as Director and as President of the Women’s Missionary Society. She taught Bible School classes for many years and directed the music in Bible School in her later years. She sang in the FBC Choir for 63 years and taught the Fidelis Sunday School Women’s Class for 27 years. She also served on various committees in the church throughout the years. She loved her church and serving God and his people.

Mrs. Lynch was also active in the community. She was a past member of two bridge clubs in Corning, a member and past president of The Wednesday Club and past president of The Literary and Garden Club. She volunteered at school when her children were young and was active in the Corning PTA. Mrs. Lynch served on the first city committee to raise money and purchase Christmas Lights for Corning. Other activities included working at the Fourth of July Picnic for many years, and volunteering at the Corning Nursing Home in recent years. She was actively involved in her two daughters’ activities while they were in high school and college, and she attended all her grandson’s sports events, academic awards ceremonies and his high school, college and law school graduations from the University of Arkansas. She was affectionately known as “Nanny” to her grandson and his friends.

She always had a smile for everyone and loved visiting with people. In years past she and her husband traveled extensively and spent many winters in Florida with her family and friends.

She is survived by her husband, Dan, of the home; two daughters, Dana Ruth and Fred Brown of Corning, Trisha Elizabeth and Jim Dixon of Tampa, Florida; one grandson Brandy Lynch and Kelli, great-granddaughter, Ainsley Susanne, and great-grandson, Witt Edrington Brown all of Jonesboro. She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, William Spencer and James Aldon Byars.

Visitation for Mrs. Lynch will be Wednesday, September 12, from 12-1:30 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Corning at Third and Olive Street. A service of celebration for the life of Mrs. Lynch will begin at 1:30 at the Church with Dr. Rusty Keltner presiding and Mrs. Thelma Rockwell leading the congregational singing.

Pallbearers will be Truman Moore, Thad Clark, Michael Smith, Terry Rapert, Cliff Gifford and Zach Brown. Honorary pallbearers will be Paul Moore, Amos Baker, F.B. Manatt, Dennis Cate, Ralph Crafton and Joe Jett.

Memorials may be made to The Flo & Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro, The First Baptist Church of Corning or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital of Memphis.

Contributed on 4/26/16 by denise.bratcher63
Email This Contributor

Suggest a Correction

Record #: 1135733

Don't Follow