Richard Lynch

Richard Lee Lynch, 65, of Smithfield, North Carolina, passed away on September 5, 2026, at UNC Rex Cardiac Hospital. Richard was born on April 25, 1961, in Charlotte, North Carolina, and graduated from Whiteville High School in 1979. He later studied mechanics at Southeastern Community College and served in the United States Air Force.

For most of his career, Richard worked in utility construction, serving as a foreman with Stackhouse, a utility construction company serving Carolina Power & Light, and later as a supervisor for Hare Pipeline, an underground utility contractor in Raleigh. In his retirement, Richard found new ways to remain active and connected to his community, working as a substitute teacher at Neuse Charter School in Smithfield and, most recently, as a station attendant at the Selma-Smithfield Amtrak Station.

Richard's commitment to community service extended to his involvement as a member of the Garner Masonic Lodge #701 in Garner, NC, now William T. Bain Lodge #231, where he served two terms as Master of the Lodge and as Secretary for several years. He was also a Shriner with Amaran Temple from 2014 to 2016. His dedication to serving others was further evident in his founding of The Revolution, a wheelchair basketball team in Johnston County that created opportunities for athletes with disabilities to participate in the sport and build community. His involvement with the Masons, the Shriners, and The Revolution reflected the meaning he found in helping others and being an active part of his community.

Outside of his service, Richard had a wide range of interests and enjoyed life in his own way. He was a published poet and an avid reader, with a particular fondness for the works of Stephen King. He enjoyed NASCAR racing, cooking and grilling for others, fishing, history, spending time on the water and at the beach, and riding his motorcycle.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Lt. Joseph 'Joe' Richard Lynch Jr., USAF, and Lucy 'Carolyn' Pickle Lynch; his infant daughter, Malyssa Nichole Lynch; and his nephew, William Thomas Hites.

He is survived by his sons, Robert 'Jason' Lynch and his husband, Robert McAuliffe, of Durham, NC and Tyler Lee Lynch of Clayton, NC; his daughters, Krystal Lynn Lynch and Alyssa Nichole Lynch of Smithfield, NC; and his granddaughter, Marissa Kaye Welsh of Smithfield, NC. He is also survived by his sisters, 'Celia' Antoinette Lynch of Whiteville, NC and 'Lucy' Carolyn Lynch Hites and her husband, Robert William Hites, of Waynesville, NC; his brother, William 'Bill' Joseph Lynch and his wife, Paige Allison Pence, of Wilmington, NC; as well as one nephew and two nieces.

A celebration of life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at William T. Bain Masonic Lodge #231, located at 9429 Ten-Ten Road in Raleigh, NC. An informal visitation and time of fellowship will begin at 1:00 p.m. at the same location.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Richard's honor to Shriners Children's. Donations may be made online through the donation page:

https://donate.shrinerschildrens.org/campaign/618584/donate?c_src=google&c_src2=q3-2026-brand&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=157828074&gbraid=0AAAAADy9t17F5nn_pXOlTxcGINKEfcNqH&gclid=Cj0KCQjw5P7UBhDaARIsAOSlS1P4OywJ-E9qxVZ-klyy--GK9s5Z0FWgxu8A5j-YsrPn36VxY4sGmAIaAnN5EALw_wcB

Online donations may also be made to the Masonic Home for Children, Oxford through the donation page:

https://my.simplegive.com/App/Giving/mhco