Michael Joseph Lynch

In the early morning hours of May 23^rd, 2023, Michael Joseph Lynch passed away from natural causes, at Providence Portland Medical Center.  Michael was 76 years old.

Michael was born on July 25, 1946 in Spokane, Washington to Hubert Joseph Lynch and Marion Perrson (nee Edberg).  Michael came from a military background; his father served in the U.S. Army for the Inspector General’s office.  That military background was to impact the remainder of Michael’s life.

Michael’s early years were spent at the Rhein-Main Air Base in Frankfurt, Germany where his father was based for about 4 years.  When he was 6 years old, in 1952, Michael returned to the United States with his parents and his infant sister.   Soon after their return, the family was sent to be stationed at Yokohama near Tokyo, Japan for several years.

A year after graduating from North Thurston High School, in Lacey, Washington, in June of 1965, Michael joined the U.S. Naval Reserves.  He entered service in September of 1966.  A few months later, in January of 1967, Michael was ordered into active duty.  He served on the destroyer the USS Earnest G. Small off the coasts of Hawaii and Vietnam until October of 1968.  While serving in the Navy, Michael was a radio technician — an occupation that led to a life-long interest in ham radios and electronics. Upon discharge from active duty, he stayed in the reserves for another three years – until October of 1971.  Michael was awarded both the Vietnam Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.

After he left the service, he tried his hand at physical work but that was short-lived.   He became a professional photographer and was featured in at least one issue of Playboy magazine.    Michael was known not only for his outstanding photography skills, and his state-of-the-art photo processing innovation, but also for his keen intelligence, sharp wit and firmly held convictions.

He was a strong advocate of gun rights and had a growing concern over the diminishing rights provided by the Second Amendment.

He loved airplanes and flight; he loved going to the Reno air shows and flew in many of his friends’ WW II airplanes.

He was a complex individual who could be cantankerous at times.  Remaining on good terms with him frequently required a great deal of patience.  And, while he could alienate those around him, he also had an enormous capacity for loyalty and devotion to his friends.

Michael will be remembered for his love of, and kindness towards, animals, especially cats.  He took in stray cats and nursed them back to health, then provided them with a home.

Both of his parents predeceased him as well as an infant brother who died in 1939.  He is survived by his sister, Barbara. A public memorial service with full military honors will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, June 16^th, 2023 at the Fort George Wright Cemetery in Spokane, Washington.  In accord with his wishes, Michael will be buried alongside his parents.