Christopher Robert Lynch, Sr.

Christopher was born on April 18, 1949 in Cleveland, Ohio to Betty Jane Patterson and William Jerome Lynch and grew up in Beaver Falls, PA. Upon graduation from Beaver Falls High School, Christopher enlisted in the United State Air Force and was stationed in Thailand during the Vietnam Conflict. It was during this time, he began taking college courses at San Antonio College in between deployments and met the love of his life, Josephine Salas.

They married in 1973 at San Alphonsus Catholic Church. The happy couple started their family soon thereafter having three children in four years - Jennifer, Tracy, and Christopher, Jr. They chose to raise their family in civilian life and Chris was honorably discharged from military service as a Technical Sergeant (E6) in 1975. He completed his college education at Our Lady of the Lake University earning a bachelor’s degree in business and minoring in English and history in 1981.

Opportunity called and the family moved from San Antonio to Ohio where Christopher worked as a logistician for the Department of Defense at Wright Patterson Air Force Base. The family settled in Tipp City, outside of Dayton, where Christopher and Josie were active parishioners at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church and where he was a member of the Knights of Columbus. Chris also served as a volunteer for youth sports - coaching peewee football and volunteering with the Tipp Monroe Swim Team.

Chris was devoted to his children - driving them all over Ohio to compete in swim meets, taking Jennifer and Chris to band competitions with the Tippecanoe High School marching band, watching Tracy play basketball, soccer, and run track. Attending their many plays, concerts, pageants, and whatever his children set their minds to do. He inspired them to do great things in life, to work hard to achieve them, and to be good and kind people.

Chris also earned his master’s degree during this time in Aeronautical Sciences & Aviation/Aerospace Management at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 1990.

After a successful 30 year career in federal service, Christopher retired in 2002 and moved with Josephine back to San Antonio to achieve their “snow bird” dream status. They split their time between Columbus, OH and San Antonio, TX to spend time with family and the growing number of grandchildren who lived in Ohio.

Christopher loved his family more than anything and cherished every moment with his beautiful and caring wife Josie “Jay”. He enjoyed cooking, golfing, watching any sport or news show on TV, science fiction, going to see his grandchildren’s activities, and editorializing on any number of issues of which he may or may not have been an authority on. His love of history, pop culture, and general trivia made him a great storyteller and formidable jeopardy opponent. He enjoyed traveling around the U.S., Europe, and cruising the Caribbean - having adventures and making memories with his wife, children, and six grandchildren.

Christopher was a long-time Mason and member of Scottish Rite Lodge where he was highly involved in helping new members learn rites and progress through the degrees of freemasonry. He will be greatly missed, but through his life’s work, his legacy will endure. He will be present not only through the work of the Knights of Columbus, and the freemasons, but through the kindness and compassion he showed the world.Christopher was preceded in death by his parents; uncle, Jack Patterson; and aunt, Audry Hammers. Christopher is survived by his best friend, and wife of nearly 50 years, Josephine “Josie” Salas Lynch; daughters, Jennifer Lynch-Wheatley (Michael) and Dr. Tracy Najera (Israel, III); son, Christopher R. Lynch Jr (Amber); grandchildren, Israel “Riley” Najera IV, Tatiana “Tati” Najera, Margaret “Maggie” Josephine Wheatley, Jonathan “JJ” Robert Wheatley, Mia Lauren Wheatley, and Christopher Robert “Bubbie” Lynch III; brother, Ron Costello; and niece, Cheryl Hanley, niece, Martha Patterson Henck, Simon and Elida Salas, Arthur and Yolanda Salas, Leo and Melba Salas, Joseph and Rachel (Salas) DeMars, Roger Salas, Spencer and Delores Rafert, Frank and Marina Salas, Larry and Vanessa Salas, Rosemary Lewis, and so many beloved relatives and chosen family.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 17, 2022, at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, 2004 Chihuahua St. San Antonio, TX 78207, and it will be followed by a Rosary Mass. The funeral will be held on Friday, the 18th, at 10:00 a.m. at San Alphonsus Catholic Church with interment at San Fernando #2.

Friar Andy Martinez will officiate. Interment with Military Honors will follow in San Fernando Cemetery (#2). Pallbearers will be Christopher R. Lynch, Jr., Michael Wheatley, Israel Najera, III, Israel Najera, IV, Greg Rafert, Timothy Salas, Frank Ramos, Jr., John Salas, Miles Salas, and Daniel Salas.

Memorial contributions may be made in Christopher’s name to the Veterans of Foriegn Wars Post 8936 or San Alphonsus Catholic Church in San Antonio.

Click here to view the Livestream service for Mr. Christopher Robert Lynch, Sr.