White Sulphur Springs-Lifelong resident of White Sulphur Springs, David Lewis Lynch, born Apr. 14, 1923, passed away peacefully at the Brookdale Care Facility in Spartanburg, SC, on Wednesday, July 6, 2016, at the age of 93. His loving bride of 69 years, Mary Lee (Guyer) Lynch, was by his side to offer comfort as the Lord called him home.
The second eldest son of seven children born to the late Flora Murphy Lynch and George Elmer Lynch, Sr., he was born in White Sulphur Springs. At the age of 6, typhoid fever took his father’s and oldest sister’s life, and the younger four children were placed in the Masonic Home in Parkersburg. David Lewis, fondly referred to around the Spa City as “Lew”or “Large,” spent the majority of his childhood and adolescence at the Masonic home until reaching the age of 18.
After graduating from Parkersburg High School, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps. He graduated with distinction from basic training, the airplane mechanic’s course, pilot training and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant as a B-25 bomber pilot. Lew served 5 years on active duty during World War II, and later held licenses for flight instructor, light commercial and private use. Returning to WV after the war, he helped his elder brother, George Elmer Lynch, Jr., to open and manage what some called the Lynch Air Field located in Mercer County near Princeton. Lew was honorably discharged from the U.S. Air Force Reserve in March 1963. His background in transportation led to a lifelong career at The Greenbrier as one of the most trusted chauffeurs in guest services for nearly 45 years. Lew and his partner, Duffy Justice, ran a local Hertz franchise until 1970. Along with help from his co-workers, he helped to form the original union for the protection and aid of all Greenbrier employees. Lew was an outstanding family man that possessed a tireless work ethic and solid moral fiber.
Following in his late father’s footsteps, he became a Mason, received a 50-year pin, and was named a Royal Arch. He traveled back to the Masonic Home in Parkersburg annually for their reunions. He was a devoted member of the First Presbyterian Church in the Spa City. Lew was an avid football, race fan and fisherman.
“Large Lew” was preceded in death by his parents, Flora Murphy Lynch and George Elmer, Sr.; his siblings, Mabel, George Elmer, Jr., Eileen, Faye, Russell and Dan; his first born child, a daughter, Rita Carol Lynch and his first born grandchild, Lorie Suzanne Liptrap.
He is survived by: his wife, Mary Lee (Guyer) Lynch; daughter, Jan (Liptrap) Windon and husband Les of Little River, SC; son, David Lewis Lynch, II, and wife Kimberly of Gilbert, AZ; grandchildren, Wendy (Liptrap) Fields and husband Shafran of Myrtle Beach, SC, David J. Lynch and wife Jessica of Pittsburgh, PA, Logan B. Lynch and wife Cynthia of Fort Bragg, NC, Jessica N. (Lynch) Jones and husband Jonathon of Farmington, NC, and Tyler J. Lynch of Gilbert, AZ; great-grandchildren, Donovan, Kennedy, Mason, Navilee, Arilynn, Orion and a new great-grandchild due in December to Jessica and Jonathon.
The Lynch Family will host a covered dish luncheon in conjunction with a Memorial Service at First Presbyterian Church in their hometown of White Sulphur Springs at noon on Saturday, Aug. 6. Extended family and friends are encouraged to attend to honor Lew’s memory and his service to his beloved community, church and society through this fellowship and tribute event.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in his honor to either: Davis Stuart at 163 Cottage Drive, Lewisburg, WV 24901-9320 or the Shriners Hospitals for Children at 3229 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229.
Interment services will be handled by Shanklin’s Funeral Home later that day and will be reserved as a private time for the immediate family members.
Notes of condolence can be sent to: Mary Lynch c/o Jan Windon at 775 Plantation Drive #34, Little River, SC 29566.
