Thomas B Lynch Jr.

Thomas B. Lynch, Jr., 80, of Commerce, Texas, passed away on September 19, 2013. Born in Belton, South Carolina on January 23, 1933, Tom was the son of the late Thomas B. Lynch, Sr. and Ellen Acker.

Tom was a U.S. Air Force veteran.

After serving in the Air Force, Tom joined the Dallas Police Department in 1954 and retired from the police department in 1968. Tom went back to college after retirement because he wanted to teach. He received his AA degree from Eastfield College in Dallas. He then went on to East Texas State University where he earned a BA in English, an MA in English, and an MS in Special Education.

Tom taught for many years at East Texas State University. In 1986, he began teaching English at Northeast Texas Community College in Mt. Pleasant, TX. After 25 years, he retired.

Tom was active in many organizations including the Sons of the American Revolution, the Sons of the Confederacy, National Press Photographer’s Association, and Texas Professional Photographer’s Association.

Tom had a true talent and love of photography – many times never going anywhere without a camera around his neck. Whether it was a person or a beautiful landscape, he took photographs.

Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Joan Cooper Lynch; daughters, Kristin Lynch (Garry) Arnett of China Spring, TX; Karen Lynch Miller of Commerce, TX; Kaye Lynch (Ted) Colbert of New Florence, MO; sons, Pat (Connie) Lynch of Tyler, TX; Richard (Frances) Lynch of Houma, LA; Sean Lynch of Farmersville, TX; nine grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held at Jones-Walker Funeral Home, 1209 Live Oak, Commerce, TX, on Sunday, September 22 from 6-8 pm. Memorial service will be held at Jones-Walker on Monday, September 23 at 11:00 am.