Phillip Eugene Lynch

July 29, 1949 December 6, 2023

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Phillip Eugene Lynch on December 6, 2023, surrounded by family. He was born on July 29, 1949, in Center, Texas, Shelby County to parents George Linnis Lynch and Virginia Catherine Lynch.

Services were Wednesday, Dec. 13 at 11:00 a.m., at Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home in Huntsville. Burial followed at Ebenezer Cemetery.

He grew up in Center and when he was of age, he was drafted in to the U.S. Marines and served our country during 1969 and 1970. He had a long and prosperous career in law enforcement over the years, serving as a deputy at the San Augustine Sheriff’s Office, the Center Police Department, and the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office. He retired from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice in 2008.

In 1981, he met the love of his life, Sarah, and married her in 1982. Phillip was a force to be reckoned with but had a heart of gold. His biggest joy was spending time with his grandkids and great-grand babies. You could always find him in the deer stand, in his garden or cutting a rug – which he didn’t need a dance floor to do!

He was a son, a Marine, a husband, a daddy and his favorite title was Papa. He fought a long, hard fight but he was the strongest man we knew. The struggle is over and now the cowboy rides away.

Phillip was preceded in death by his parents and his great-grandson Cash Lane Artherholt.

He is survived by his loving wife Sarah Lynch, his children Stacy Stringer, Bradley Countryman and wife Sara, Penny Bonner and husband Tyler, Virginia Lynch Sanches and husband Bubba, Bart Lynch and wife Nikki and Colby Artherholt (who was like a son to him) and wife Emily.

He is also survived by his loving grandchildren Colby Artherholt and wife Emily, Courtney Farmer and husband Korey, Chris Countryman, Jacie McCarty and husband Jeremy, Seth Autery, Tyler Autery, and Stephanie Direnzo and husband Alex.

His great-grandchildren who will miss him dearly are Braylenn, Tatum, Cord, Dean, Bayleigh, Bronx, and Quinn. He also is survived by one sister, Cathy Hughes.

Memorial condolences to the family may be made at www.shmfh.com.