Thomas John Lynch passed away Sept 20, 2022 Tom, a proud Veteran, Adventurer, Sailor, Pilot, loyal friend and family Centered Patriot was born in Monroe, WI Jan. 16, 1947. He was the son of Delbert and Dorothy (Mahlkuch) Lynch. He was named after his Great Grandfather Thomas Lynch and his Grandfather John Lynch. Tom grew up on the family farm south of Browntown. He attended Cadiz Country School and Monroe schools and graduated in 1965 from Albany WI.
When he was 12, Tom helped his dad build a go-cart which birthed his passion for all things mechanical and would translate into a life-long career. Tom was always interested in building something or putting something together, whether it be work related, or just helping a friend fix something. Tom loved completely rebuilding his 1970’s era red Porsche and participating in riding his Harley for MDA charity events, Tom was not the type of man to sit still.
During a time when many were being drafted, Tom felt that it was his duty to serve his country and volunteered for service in the US Army and was stationed in Vietnam and Germany (where he first learned to downhill ski). He was honorably discharged from service in August of 1969 and immediate began working at Zierbel Engineering/Camtrol where he worked his way up and eventually became the owner of the company which took him all around the world.
In the 70’s he got his small aircraft Pilot License in Janesville, WI
On July 4, 1976, he flew to Monroe and flew his family over the farm and
Great Aunt Ethera’s house in Winslow (currently Brett and Brandie’s home).
In 1977 - Tom, Al and one other man braved the open sea and sailed from San Diego, CA to Hawaii in a small 27-foot sailboat. They arrived 21 days later after being forced to sail way off course to avoid getting stuck in the doldrums (horse latitudes); they were all happy to eventually see land and arrive safely in Hawaii.
Tom took his mother on her first flight on a jet in 1982 to Vancouver British Columbia Canada to visit relatives and in 1987 he took his sister - Rosie and a friend to Europe (Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Liechtenstein) and of course he was the guy who had to go fast on the autobahn. In 1992 he continued sharing his love of travel and took his father on his first Jet Airline flight to Ireland and Europe.
July 4, 1998, Tom married his high school sweetheart - Dahla Dixon in Las Vegas, NV; Tom immediately fell in love with her children Erin and Ann. The couple were truly Soulmates as both loved to travel, have parties, go skiing, and were always looking for fun. For Tom’s 50th Birthday in 1997, Dahla took him to the Super Bowl in New Orleans (the Packers won!). Tom and Dahla always looking for unique adventures, even manned a working light house in Door County for 24 hours….
Erin and Ann were very special to Tom and they went up North to the UP skiing many years and once took a trip to Hawaii. Dahla and Tom had so many fun adventures with them and Tom thought so much of the girls that he even braved Disney world just to see the smiles on their faces; this was a big deal because in normal circumstances he’d rather do just about anything other than go to Disney, but the girls were that special to him.
As thoughtful as Tom was, in 1990 he decided that his sisters should not have to cook on Mother’s Day so he started a new tradition and from then on, he did a Bon Fire - Cook Out at his place on that special holiday.
Two special people that influenced Tom’s life besides his Mother and Dad were:
Grandpa John who was adventurous and Great Aunt Ethera who influenced his spiritual side.
Picking us up for Sunday School - Those Big Homemade Sugar Cookies….
Family Dinners - Saying the 7 Generation Prayer from our English Sailor Grandpa
She had the pastor come to her house and Baptized Tom before going to Vietnam
She always said – “Bless Your Heart”. Tom used that phrase until his last days.
In 2016 Tom retired from Camtrol as the owner after 47 years of loyalty to the same company.
Tom was always up for adventure; he loved to go fast and play hard. He had many special friends, but Wally and Judy were always there for Tom and seemed to be his partners in crime.
This past March when our Canadian Cousins were here, Tom decided that he wanted to be saved and accept Jesus as his Lord and Savior. Sandy Lynch has done Missionary Work her entire life and was honored to help him through this spiritual process.
Tom was preceded in death by his wife, Dahla Lynch; as well as his parents, Delbert and Dorothy Lynch; sister, LuAnn Lynch, Karen and (Chuck) Dunlavey; and a Special Friend - Dianne Lynch.
Tom is survived by his two Step-Daughters Erin (Ron) Hartwig, Ann (Matt) Lynch; Step - Grandchildren: Hailey, Olivia, Zachary Hartwig, Ella and Mayla Lynch; Sister, Rosemary Simonson of Windermere FL; Gary Lynch, Tiffany Lynch, Kevin Dunlavey, Brian Dunlavey, Brett Dunlavey, Nikki Miglore and many special nieces and nephews to whom Tom treated as if they were his own. Everyone loved Uncle Tom!
A special mention for Karen, Tom’s sister, and Dianne Lynch for their attentive care for Tom these last years as well as the amazing director and staff at Sienna Crest of Mineral Point, and Agrace Hospice.
You couldn’t write a better story than the life of Tom Lynch the adventurer and family-oriented man. Gone but never forgotten, we will forever be discussing his adventures, his giving nature, love and loyalty.
A visitation for Tom will be held at the Newcomer Funeral Home, Monroe, on Monday, October 10, 2022, at 12:00 p.m. followed by a memorial service at 1:00 p.m. Inurnment with military honors will be in Cadiz (Saucerman) Cemetery, rural Browntown. A celebration of Tom’s life will be held at the American Legion Post #84 on Monday, October 10, from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. A memorial fund will be established in Tom’s name. Condolences may be shared at www.newcomerfuneralhome.net
