Thomas Gerard Lynch

Thomas Gerard Lynch passed away peacefully, after several years of declining health due to cancer, on January 27, 2024, at home with family members at his side. He was 81.

He was born on July 11, 1942, in Howard Beach, New York, and was of the Catholic faith. He was the son of Thomas Joseph Lynch and Jeanette Metz Lynch. Thomas is preceded in death by his parents; a baby sister; his oldest sister, Patricia Cichard; youngest sister, Helen Malazzo; great-grandson, Nicholas Williams; brother-in-law, Thomas M. Willis; and sister-in-law, Betty Ann Craft.

Surviving relatives are his wife of 45 years, Jonnie Holshouser Lynch; brother, William Lynch; children: Jeffrey D. Williams and wife Teri Mitchell, Jonathan L. Williams, and Julie W. Easterberg and husband Von; grandchildren: Parker Williams and wife Destiny, Fallon W. Simpson and husband David, Devon Easterberg, and Breanna Easterberg and Nathan Ward; great-grandchildren: Sabel Williams, Wyatt Williams, and Aiden Ward; sister-in-law, Margie Willis; brother-in-law, Gene Craft; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Upon graduation from High School in 1961, Tom enlisted in the US Army where he began his childhood dream of being in law enforcement, serving as a military policeman. Being a veteran, he had a lot of respect for America and all veterans.

After serving in the Army, he became a New York City Transit Authority Policeman where he received several awards for valor and retired after 15 years in 1980.

He and Jonnie married in 1978 and he and his new family lived in New York until he retired and they moved back down south to Elberton. Tom continued in law enforcement for most of his adult life as an Elberton Policeman and a 911 Operator in Athens and Danielsville. He retired from the Elbert County Jail as a Corrections Officer.

Tom enjoyed watching sports, especially New York Rangers Hockey and New York Yankees baseball. He really enjoyed R.V. camping with the grandchildren during summer vacations.

Tom always said he fulfilled his goals in life by being in law enforcement and living to see the children and grandchildren grow into responsible and caring adults. He didn’t always show his emotions but his family was the most important part of his life and meant everything to him.

Graveside services will be held on Monday, January 29, at 1:00p.m. at Elmhurst Cemetery with Mr. Tommy Fields officiating. The family is at the residence where they will receive friends.

The family has requested, in lieu of flowers, to please consider a donation in Tom’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Memorial Giving, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10306.

Those wishing may sign the online guestbook at berryfh.com.

Berry Funeral Home & Crematory of Elberton is respectfully in charge of arrangements for Thomas Gerard Lynch.