James "Jim" Edwin Lynch

James Edwin Lynch (Jim) of Sarasota, died peacefully on July 8, 2016 with his wife of 38 years, Judy, by his side. He was the son of the late Edwin and Elizabeth Lynch of Hayt's Corners, NY. In addition to his wife, Jim is survived by his children: Michael Lynch, Jeffrey Lynch and Laurel (Jeff) Beeler; stepchildren: Mark (Mary Beth) Vickery, Bruce (Connie) Vickery and Robin Vickery; and 13 grandchildren:Ryan, Dana, Mary, Kelly, Margaret, Hanna, Cameron, Griffin, Sarah, Sean, A.D., Bryan and Brooke., as well as several nieces and nephews. Jim was predeceased by his three siblings: Arthur, Marilyn and Hilma. Born on March 17, 1934 in Seneca Falls, NY. Jim grew up in the Finger Lakes region of NY, where he graduated from Ovid Central High School. He began his automotive career in retail at the Boyce Ford Dealership in Ovid. He served in the U.S. Army before joining American Motors in 1964 as a District Sales Manager in Syracuse, N.Y. He began his 30-year career with Chrysler Corporation in 1966. He was promoted in 1972 to Chrysler Headquarters in Detroit as Marketing Specialist for Dodge Truck; became National Manager of Special Vehicles in 1980 and when he retired in1996 he was the National Manager of Truck Fleet Sales. He was said to "bleed blue" because of his love of and loyalty to Chrysler. After retirement Jim became an avid lover of classic cars and bought a 1940 Ford Convertible (like the one he had as a teenager). He restored the car to exactly as Henry Ford built it earning the Dearborn Award, along with other awards of which he was very proud. After he sold that car in 2011, he bought a 1950 Ford convertible and continued to enjoy entering car shows in Florida as well as just driving around Sarasota. Jim and Judy were active in the Sunshine Region AACA club of which he was President for two years. They also enjoyed golfing together for many years and in the 1980's enjoyed boating on the Great Lakes. Jim also built and flew model airplanes in retirement. He was blessed to have a loving family and many friends. He will be missed by all those whose lives he touched. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to cancer research; the Sunshine Region AACA car club's annual Devereaux-Kaiser Car Show or a charity of your choice. The Family would like to express gratitude to Tidewell Hospice. Family and friends are invited to attend a memorial service at the Sarasota National Cemetery on Friday August 12, 2016 at 11:00 AM with a luncheon to follow at the Meadows Country Club. Arrangements by Toale Brothers Funeral Home in Sarasota.

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James "Jim" Edwin Lynch

March 17, 1934 - July 8, 2016