In Memory of. James L. Lynch, Jr

San Diego Business Journal, Oct 22, 2001

"Jim Lynch, a Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR employee, who worked in the Joint Information Systems Fleet Support Branch (j632], died September 11, 2001 in the terrorist attack on the Pentagon. He was 55 years old."

At the time of his death, Jim served as the onsite support for the Global Command and Control System. Maritime (GCCS-M) at the Pentagon's NCC. Although assigned to a specific branch, he worked with various people throughout the SPAWAR claimancy.

"Jim was a very caring person, and I will miss him greatly," said Shirley Essam, SPAWAR PMW157 Ashore Manager.

Jim was one of three exceptional technicians hired in October 1983 to provide technical services to the Navy Command Center (NCC) for the support of the C31 systems that SPAWAR installed in the Center.

Born on the 4th of July, Jim was a very patriotic person. He had a 15-foot flagpole in his front yard and always flew the American flag proudly. He also had a strong appreciation for nature and its most delicate beauty. He spent hours every week feeding and watching hummingbirds in his yard and growing a wide variety of roses. Jim loved taking pictures, especially of his family.

"It is actually hard to find pictures of Jim because he was always behind the camera taking the pictures," said Jim's wife Brenda.

Jim was known by many at the Pentagon as The Candy Man. For many years, Jim walked the Pentagon halls handing out Werther's Originals, which he bought by the case. Every day during his lunch break, Jim walked a regular route giving candy to people, putting a smile on their faces. This practice extended well beyond the Pentagon. Jim gave candy to cashiers at stores, bank tellers, or anyone else that he felt needed a lift or a smile. His son Paul is continuing this tradition.

Ken Howerton, who hired Jim, said, "Because of the high levels of visibility -- the Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) and Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) -- these techs had to have excellent skills to survive in the NOC environment. Once, we considered stopping our NCC support because of funding issues, but the Center's commander would not allow us to stop because of the quality performances of Jim and his colleagues. NCC is a remote location to us, so Jim and the others carried a lot of responsibility to ensure their performance met the expectations of the Center, CNO, and SECNAV.

Harry Jackson, a longtime friend and coworker, said, "With Jim you had a friend for life. He always had a warm cheerful greeting for me and was always offering to lend a helping hand, or let you borrow something of his that might help you out. I don't think Jim ever met anyone he did not like, and it would not take long for you to become the focus of his keen sense of humor."

Kathryn Murphy, his supervisor, said, "He was very thoughtful, funny and smart, All of these qualities would shine through whether communicating with Jim in person, on the phone, or via e-mail. One of his technical strong points was video, the displays and switches. He told me recently that he used to moonlight at the Capitol Center operating and maintaining projectors."

Jim is survived by his wife, Brenda, of Manassas, Va.; a son, Paul Lynch of Waldorf, Md.; a daughter, Patty Singh of Indian Head, Md.; and a stepson, John Jackson of Lovettsville, Va.; his mother, Doris Lynch; sisters Maureen MacDonald and Carolyn DeRosier of Enfield, Conn., Judy Hesse of Broad Brook, Conn., Kathleen Zzetscher of Silver Spring, Md.; and a brother, Michael Lynch of Rockville, Conn.; and three grandchildren, Nikki, Jimmy, and Kelli.

We extend our deepest sympathy to Jim's family, friends, and coworkers. The Navy, SPAWAR, and the Washington, D.C., area will surely miss The Candy Man.