Longtime Pagosa resident Ben Lynch passed away peacefully on Friday, Nov. 6, at Mercy Hospice in Durango, Colo. Ben was born and raised in Pagosa Springs and was very proud of his hometown and his many friends and family. Born on Aug. 22, 1938, in the family home on main street, he grew up in the ‘40s and ‘50s in a close-knit community. His parents, Ben K. and June E. Lynch, moved to Pagosa Springs from Durango in 1935 and purchased Jackisch Drugstore. Ben K. and June were fixtures in the community who multitasked like all families did in those days. Aside from running the drugstore they ran the ambulance, operated a mortuary and served on many local boards and committees. Ben’s life in Pagosa began with a strong family, adventure and a sense of service.
Ben graduated from Pagosa Springs High School in 1956 and went on to the University of Colorado, Boulder where he attained his pharmacy degree. Ben returned to Pagosa in the early ‘70s and partnered with his father at the drug store. After his father’s death in 1976 he went on to run the store for the next 30 years. Many locals remember Ben as a mainstay at the drug store, where he was relied upon for medicine and sound advice. He never thought twice about opening the store at midnight to fill someone’s prescription when it was needed. Coming into the drug store in those days may have included visiting with his business partner Rice Reavis about fishing in local streams or asking Emmit Martinez questions about early settlers in the area. He was also a member of the Lions Club, served on town council, steadfast Pagosa Pirate booster and formerly Knights of Columbus.
Ben enjoyed camping with his family, river adventures with his brother Casey Lynch, hunting with his friend Bob Shahan, skiing up at Wolf Creek with Dean and Lee Cox, flying small planes with Jim Cloman, playing golf with his sons and the ups and downs of being a Denver Bronco fan since the 1960s. He and his brother Jack had season tickets to the Broncos in the early ‘60s, when the team was not very good but there was always a fight in the south stands to keep people entertained.
Ben married Lucille Martinez in 1963 and had three sons. Lucille Lynch cared deeply about her family, her many relatives and her church. An amazing lady taken away too soon by breast cancer in 1983. Nine years later Ben found a new love in Judy Smith, and they were married happily for 35 years. Ben and Judy enjoyed traveling and spending time with friends and family. They traveled to some amazing places in retirement; Judy kept Ben on the move, and he adopted Judy’s son and daughter as his own.
Ben is survived by his wife, Judy Lynch; brother Casey Lynch (Laurie); his sons, Larry Lynch (Dana), Grady Lynch, Jason Smith (Lisa) and David Lynch; and daughter Angela Tennant (Barrett). He is also survived by his grandchildren, Averie, Sydney, Collin, Julia and Cole; nephews Pat Lynch (Kristi), Mike Lynch (Neisa), Michael Lynch (Cora); and niece Kelly Lynch (Conner). He was preceded in death by his parents, Ben and June, his brother Jack Lynch, sister Maureen Lynch and first wife Lucille.
A small family burial at Hilltop Cemetery will occur this week and, because of the flooding and difficult travel issues, a Mass and celebration of his life will be scheduled sometime in the spring when all his friends and family can attend.
The family has asked that in lieu of flowers to consider a donation to Pagosa Springs flood relief through the Community Foundation serving Southwest Colorado (indicate neighbors in need/Lynch in memo); or to Mercy Hospice Inpatient (Common Spirit/Mercy health foundation).
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