Joe Floyd Lynch

Joe F. Lynch was born in Santa Anna, Texas on February 22, 1933 to Coy Lee Lynch and Thelma McMinn Lynch. Joe passed away on Monday February 17, just short of his 81st birthday. He was proceeded in April, 2013 by Marilyn Ruth Chesher Lynch his wife of 54 years. He attended Coleman High School where he played football for the Coleman Bluecats and graduated in 1951. Joe was active in the Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI) fraternity at Texas Technological College and earned a Bachelors in Finance in 1954. In July, 1955 he entered the Naval Aviation Cadet program and was commissioned an Ensign later that year. He was designated a Naval Aviator in December, 1956. The majority of his flying was done in a P2V Neptune patrol bomber in the South Pacific from the Navel Air Station in Honolulu. In his off time he was instrumental in fighting the battle for Waikiki Beach.

As part of his service, he flew through three nuclear blast pressure waves as a part of the military’s weapons research in Operation Redwing on the Bikini Atolls.

Joe married Marilyn Ruth Chesher in 1959. In January of 1959 Joe joined T.J. Bettes Company in the Lubbock office and soon moved to the Amarillo office. In November of 1962, Joe was named the Branch Manager of the Albuquerque office. In 1965 Joe, Marilyn and sons, Bryan, Brad and David, moved to Houston.

Joe enjoyed a successful career in the mortgage and commercial banking business in Houston where he and Marilyn were active in many charities. Joe supported the Sam Houston Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America and Troop 642 where his three sons and four grandsons earned or are working to earn the rank of Eagle Scout. Joe and Marilyn were also members of Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church.

Joe served as Director and Chairman of the Board of First Continental Corporation, and as Chairman, then Chairman Emeritus of First Continental Investment Co., Ltd. He served as Director, Vice Chairman and Chief Lending Officer of Farm & Home Savings Association from December 1989 until it merged with Roosevelt Financial Group in June 1994. He also served First Continental Real Estate Investment Trust in various capacities from its inception in 1973 including Chairman of the Board, Trustee and President until May 1994 when it merged with The Parkway Company, and as a Director of Parkway Properties, Inc. until 2007. From 1967 to 1981 he served as a Director and in executive capacities, the latter 10 years as President, of First Continental Mortgage Company. He was actively involved in the residential lot development business for over 40 years.

Joe was a member of the Houston City Planning Commission in 1983, was a Past President of both the Texas Mortgage Bankers Association and the Houston Mortgage Bankers Association. He received the Distinguished Service Award from the Texas Mortgage Bankers Association in 1989. He had also been a member of the “C” Club for many years.

Joe is survived by his sons and their families. Bryan and Angela Lynch, Laura and Cameron. Brad and Ginger Lynch, Kyle, Sam and Owen. David and Christina Lynch.

A memorial service for Joe will be held at Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church this Monday, February 24th at 11 : 00 AM.