Clefton L. Lynch

Guymon, Oklahoma - Clefton L. Lynch, 100, passed away early Wednesday at Wheatridge Park Care Center, Liberal, Kansas. The son of Pearl Mae Lynch and Leslie Joseph Lynch, he was born September 28, 1911 on the Lynch homeplace near Turpin, Oklahoma in Beaver, County. He had one brother, Leslie Demonte who preceded him in death. He graduated from Turpin High School and graduated from Panhandle A&M College, Goodwell in 1936 with Bachelors degrees in chemistry and math. Later, he attended Oklahoma State University and earned is masters in chemical engineering. Young Clefton joined many during the Dust Bowl years and headed West to California where he found work as a builder and soon became involved in mercury mining. With the beginning of World War II, Lynch served in the United States Army and was soon assigned to the Headquarters Brigade in the Corp of Army Engineers. Stationed in the Pacific Theater, the Engineers' tasks were to prepare the islands for American planes and troops. Following the War, Clefton returned to Beaver County, Oklahoma and joined his Father in the farming business. At the age of 40, he married Doris Cantrell and they had three childrenaEUR"two girls and a boy. The Lynches moved to Guymon in the 1970's. As an advocate for farmers and a political activist, Lynch served on area and state boards and committees. He was an active member of Victory Memorial United Methodist Church and a longtime member of the Scottish Rite and Masonic Lodge along with being active in the local Elks Lodge and American Legion. Before Doris passed away in 1988, the Lynchs enjoyed traveling together. Well after his retirement, Lynch continued to use his architecture and construction skills to improve the area, volunteering to contract church projects and building a local Christian school. He enjoyed golfing well past his "golden years" and never quit learning and being interested in people and the world. Always proud of his homesteading and pioneer roots, Lynch was honored as the 2001 Pioneer Day Parade Marshall. Clef had celebrated his 100th birthday in September, surrounded by family and friends. He was able to stay in his own home until the last week of his life. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Doris, who passed away in 1988; his parents; his brother Monte Lynch; and step-daughter Adrienne Greene; Survivors include two daughters, Angela and husband, Taylor Clark of Seattle, WA; Jennifer Lynch of Vashon, WA; a son, Leslie Lynch and wife, Jennie of Turpin, OK; grandchildren Anna Katrina and husband Robert Lloyd of Everett, WA, David Lynch and wife Molly of Edmond, OK; Sarah Lynch of OKC, OK ; Rebecca Lynch of Albuquerque, NM; George and Maighread Clark of Seattle, WA and 4 great grandchildren Kya, Bryson and Anniston Lynch and Sophia Breshears. Funeral services will be Saturday morning, March 31st, 11:00 A.M. at Victory Memorial United Methodist Church, Guymon with Rev. Gary Holdeman and Rev. Barry Bennett officiating. Military gravesite honors and interment will be at 3:00 P.M. at Restlawn Memorial Cemetery, Liberal, Kansas.

Memorials may be given to the Shriner's Childrens' Hospital, care of Henson Novak Funeral Directors, P.O. Box 1306, Guymon, OK 73942.