Lynn Jay Bartz

Lynn was born in Scotts Bluff Nebraska on June 1, 1943. Lynn was the last of five children, four boys and one girl. He moved with his family to Idaho when he was nine months old. He spent his growing up years on a farm.

Lynn was active in his church in New Plymouth Idaho where he took part in leadership roles.

Lynn attended Bob Jones University where he earned his BA and then his Masters from the University of Alaska. While at Bob Jones he met his future wife, Ruth Elizabeth Lovegrove. They were married between their junior and senior years in college. In 1967 they welcomed their first and only son, Gary. Gary resides in New Jersey along with his wife and five children.

In 1968 they answered the Lord’s call to Alaska. They traveled from South Carolina by van all the way to Alaska not having ever been there, didn’t know anyone and didn’t have a job. He worked for Sears a little over a year before he got his first teaching job in secondary special education.

In 1990 he retired from the Anchorage School District where he had worked his way to become the secondary special education supervisor for the district. Ruth also really retired at this time and they decided to leave Alaska. They didn’t know where the Lord would leave them next so they traveled for the next year and a half across the lower 48.

While in Alaska he was very active in Baxter Road Bible Church and Child Evangelism Fellowship.

When they returned to the states, they visited Westwood Baptist Church and felt that this was where the Lord wanted them. Lynn begin volunteering at the church and became the church administrator where he served until he retired.

Lynn spent much of his retired time in either of his two favorite endeavor’s; either traveling or in his garden.

Lynn is survived by his wife, Ruth Elizabeth Bartz of Olympia, Washington; his son, Gary Bartz of West Caldwell, New Jersey; and five grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lewis and Leila Bartz; his brothers, Lewis, Lavern, and Lloyd Bartz; and twin sister, Lola Beachel.

Lynn has written out his life story which contains many examples of how God worked in his life.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Westwood Baptist Church in Olympia.