Thomas “Tom” Lynch
Thomas Earl Lynch, born July 21, 1941 in Chicago, died September 23, 2019 in the loving comfort of his wife, Dixie (nee Cardwell), daughter Julie, and son Tommy. He joins his father Leo, mother Carolyn, and sister Carol who preceded him in death. He is survived by two older brothers, Warren and Mike.
A 1959 graduate of Chicago-area’s Palatine High School, Tom came of age in the Fabulous Fifties. It was the perfect time and place for him to develop a love of cars, motorcycles, horse racing, bowling, golf, and rock-and-roll music (Buddy Holly and Chuck Berry especially!). Tom was the class clown and the life of the party. Later he became the cool dad and the fun uncle. With his sharp wit and clever mind, Tom could make anyone laugh. He was truly a jack-of-all-trades who was great at whatever he set his mind to.
Tom met his wife, Dixie, in Southern Illinois where they worked in the early 1960s. They married in 1965 and soon moved to the Illinois suburbs of St Louis where he worked as a social worker even while pursuing other interests (owned a racehorse, bought a restaurant, ran a poker room). Over the course of their marriage, Tom and Dixie relocated to Saginaw Michigan, Buffalo New York, and Slidell Louisiana before returning to the St Louis area, which they considered home. In retirement, Tom honed his card-playing skills and became an accomplished tournament poker player. He could be found making friends and winning pots in poker rooms around St Louis and throughout the US.
Tom will be dearly missed. He was a generous man who gave ceaselessly to his family and friends. He brought smiles and laughter, joy and fun wherever he went.
A party to celebrate Tom’s life is being planned. Venue and date are being determined. Details will follow.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Tom’s name to the American Cancer Society or Evelyn’s House Hospice.
I have always appreciated how kind he was to me over the near entirety of my life. I have too many memories to count where he brought his sense of humor to our little league games, birthday celebrations, family events, and dinners together. He will be sorely missed.
Much love and strength to you all. I am grateful to Tom for helping to raise one of my favorite people in the world.
So sorry to hear Uncle Tom has passed away. Our prayers and thoughts are with all of you at this difficult time. Love and prayers, Kim and Terry Smith
Oh, Tommy Lynch! I’m so sorry, Brother. Here’s to the Daddy, Tom. The son will be Tommy to me forever yon. Please feel my meager love trying to comfort while you figure out how to live without your Dad.
Aunt Dixie, Julie and Tommy, so very sorry to hear this! Uncle Tom always made me laugh, such great memories of the long weekends at the house with you all in our much younger days….Thinking of you all????. Love Julie and Ken.
All The O’Briens and Sabberts are sending love to you. I am sorry for your loss and the grief you are facing. Dixie, thanks for the son in Tommy that you and Tom gave to the world. Matt and I have been blessed by his friendship. Love, Amy
Our deepest sympathies to you all . . All of you reading this who loved Tom as much as we did!
Tom and I were best buddies since Palatine High and kept our friendship going for 60+ years. He was a guy of integrity, he was intelligent, a wonderful husband and dad and he was fun and funny.
There are too many great memories to recall here. I told him as a 15 year old that he had the “oddest wit”. He reminded me of that all through the years. When visiting our mutual best friend, Sharon McGregor in AZ. we called him in St. Louis and told him we needed a “fourth for golf” the next day. Don’t you know, Tom showed up next morning! He was, one of a kind! I will miss him the rest of my days and I treasure the memories. Rest In Peace, Tom. Love and hugs, Gail LeMay
Tom, you will be sorely missed by us all! We had many laughs, from high school until your passing. You were always a ray of sunshine to anyone fortunate enough to have known you. RIP my dear buddy!
Dear Dixie, Tommy and Julie,
I love UncleTom so much! He always was the life of the party!! I miss his smile and big heart already but he will live on in every ones hearts!!????❤️????
Kristin