John Duncan Lynch

John Duncan Lynch was born July 26, 1944, in Hartshorne, Oklahoma. He was the son of J. D. and Beulah Marie (Brannon) Lynch. John often shared fond memories of his years in school in Hartshorne. Because he was the tallest in his graduating class at a very small school, he finished out his senior year as the captain of the school’s basketball team. He attended college at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, OK for two years, consequently developing a life-long love for Oklahoma State Football.
In 1964, He married Barbara Collier, and through that union, he had two children, Carolyn Sue and Robert Todd. During their time together, John and Barbara lived in Oklahoma, New Mexico and Texas where they raised their children. During this time, John enjoyed fishing, camping, and surprisingly, sponsoring and pitching for a local baseball team. He owned and built two different restaurants, as well as later managing others.
Years later, after parting ways with Barbara, he married Carolyn Ann Runnels on September 14, 1985. To that union, there are 3 children, Jaqueline Kelly, Dena Roza, and Travis Benton. Though the family spent a brief period of time in Texas, they spent most of their years raising their family in Broken Arrow, OK. During this time, he managed various restaurants, such as Jim’s Cafeteria, Denny’s, Delta Café, and Wendy’s. He loved cooking as well as the food service industry.
John was a family man who loved God and his family deeply and unconditionally. John was most proud of his children and how they have grown up to be respectful and hardworking individuals. If he loved anyone more than his kids, it would be his grandchildren. He constantly strived to be the best dad he could be. He also took an unshakeable pride in being a fair, efficient, and reliable manager to both his employees and employers. Family vacations and recreational activities were always a blast. Some of his fondest memories included trips to Branson and Silver Dollar City. He loved fishing, hunting, camping, watching or attending football, basketball, and baseball games with his family. He truly enjoyed cooking and grilling for family gatherings, birthday parties, and other festivities. He also enjoyed antiquing with his wife, Carolyn; they would travel to many places to find that special undiscovered treasure. He was a die-hard old western fan evident through his enjoyment of old western shows, movies, and memorabilia. Some of his favorite Western Icons included Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, and Hop-A-Long Cassidy.
When asked, “Who would you say were the people who changed your life?” John responded fondly, Roy Rogers, Dave Thomas, the founder of Wendy’s, and my good friend of many years, Bud Wheeler.”
Survivors are his five children Carolyn Ray and her husband Erin of Elgin, Texas; Todd Lynch and Victoria Wilson of Sand Springs, Oklahoma; Jacqueline Black and her husband Steve of Broken Arrow, OK; Dena Vetters and her husband Andrew of Tulsa, OK, Travis Lynch and his wife Peggy of Stillwater, OK; two sisters Sandi Wheeler of Springfield, Arkansas, and Janice Carletti of Sapulpa, OK; Twelve grandchildren: Macy Hall, Hayden Hall, Phoenix Ray, Logan Black, Blaine Black, Hendrix Black, Johnny Lynch, Haylie Horton, Lexie Horton, Benton Lynch, Elias Lynch, and the soon-to-be Brannon Vetters, as well as a host of other relatives and friends. In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by his wife Carolyn, siblings Judy Ann Wilson, David Lynch, and Lita Louise Gianni.
Funeral services will be held 2:00 PM Thursday at the Chapman-Black Funeral Home with Pastors Dwight West and Matt Raines officiating. Burial will follow immediately in the A.J. Powell Memorial Cemetery in Hominy, Oklahoma under the direction of Chapman-Black Funeral Home. Friends and family may share a memory about John on his memorial website at www.chapman-black.com.
Pallbearers will include Andrew Vetters, Eric Vetters, Steve Black, Travis Lynch, Todd Lynch and James Livingston