Jack Omar Lynch Jr.

Jack Omar Lynch Jr.

May 2, 1939 – September 23, 2015

Inspiring father, beloved husband, proud veteran, renowned entrepreneur, and man of faith, Jack Omar Lynch Jr. passed from this Earth at the age of 76.

Jack was born and raised in Seattle, where he graduated from the Lakeside School, attended Stanford University and graduated from the University of Washington in 1961. After graduation, he served until 1963 as an officer in the US Navy, primarily on the destroyer escort USS Finch, in the South Pacific theatre.

After his service, Jack worked for his father at Lynch Furniture Manufacturing (opened in 1937) until assuming control of the company upon his father’s death in 1969. By the mid-1970’s, Lynch Furniture had grown to the largest furniture company on the West coast, enabling his election to the Young President’s Organization. Under his leadership the company developed new product lines, leveraged computers to drive productivity (unique for the early 1970s), and later secured production partnerships with both Ther-A-Pedic and Simmons USA to manufacture mattresses and hide-a-beds. Jack also served several years with Kent Rotary and other charitable endeavors. Late in his career, Jack became one of the first West coast factory-direct furniture stores with “Lynch’s Sofa Factory,” which he ran until his semi-retirement in 1993. Jack also served as President of Lynch Land Company, until his illness in 2012 forced him to retire.

A lifetime sailor, Jack was never able to stray too far from the sea, ultimately living in Gig Harbor so he could spend time on his sailboat and walk the docks. He was also an original season ticket holder for the Mariners and Seahawks, and could be found at Husky stadium on Fall Saturdays over six decades. His silly sense of humor and his dry wit conspired to keep his family, especially his grandchildren, on their toes. Those who knew Jack well described him as a kind, smart, and compassionate man, with a long history of helping those in need.

Jack leaves behind his adored and devoted wife Sharon of 33 years; their son Kevin; their daughter Kelly and her fiancé Miguel Rodas; his daughter Shaunda, her husband Chad Schmidt, and their sons Hunter and Marshall; and his son Jack (III), his wife Stacey and their daughters Faith, Ashlyn, and Keira. He is also survived by his older sisters: Susannah Johnson, Janet Lynch, and Patricia Baer.

Memorial services will be held on Sunday October 18th at 12:30pm, located at St. John’s Episcopal Church. A reception will follow at Canterwood Golf Club in Gig Harbor. In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to contribute to the Alzheimer’s Association Washington State Chapter (http://www.alz.org/alzwa and select donate). Please sign Jack’s guest book at www.havenrest.com with favorite memories and condolences for the family.