Ernest Craven Lynch Jr.

Born March 2, 1930, in Ranger, Texas, he was the son of Ernest Craven Lynch, Sr. and Melissa Liola Smith Lynch. After his birth, the family moved to Lufkin, Texas, where Ernest grew up and graduated from Lufkin High School in 1948. Upon graduation, he joined the Naval Reserves serving his first enlistment through 1950. In 1952 Ernest graduated from Stephen F. Austin with a BBA in Business. Upon graduation from college on August 6, 1952, he married Betty G. Parrish, his high school sweetheart. Called to active duty in the Korean War with the US Navy, Ernest served aboard the Essex-class aircraft carrier the U.S.S. Princeton, reclassified as an attack carrier.

After the war Ernest received his honorable discharge on July 28, 1954, and the young couple moved to Odessa, Texas. Ernest worked for Lufkin Oil Supply until 1959 when he started his own business as an agent for Southwestern Life Insurance Company. In 1970 he added a securities business component to his thriving insurance business. Ernest became a Life Member of the Million Dollar Round Table through his initiative, hard work, and study, and his business continued to grow and be successful. He became a long-standing member of the Odessa Optimist Club and was a member of the Midland and Odessa Estate Council. A life-long Methodist, Ernest was a long-time member of St. Luke’s Methodist Church as well as a long-time member of the church choir. When St. Luke’s closed, he became a member of the First United Methodist Church of Odessa. Ernest loved and faithfully served his church, community, and family.

Ernest’s wife Betty and his sisters Jane Lynch Blurton and Nancy Lynch Lanier preceded him in death. Surviving him are his son Ernest Craven Lynch, III, and his wife Terri, his daughters Amy K. Lynch and Melissa M. Lynch, grandson Nathan Lynch and granddaughter Annelise Lynch as well as nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.

The family would like to express their gratitude to Ernest’s faithful, long-time secretary Sherry Bishop and the staff of Manor Park. Memorials can be made to the First United Methodist Church of Odessa, 415 N. Lee, Odessa, TX 79761 or to a charity of choice.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Hubbard Kelly Funeral Home of Odessa. Final interment will follow a graveside service at Bethesda Cemetery in Garner, Texas.