JOSEPH PATRICK LYNCH
passed from this life into the next on February 24, 2021.
Pat was born August 5, 1950 into an “old Mobile family” to Joseph Richard Lynch and Dorothy (Rodwell) Lynch. He was the grandson of Jeremiah Sullivan Lynch, a captain in the Confederate Army and lifelong resident of Mobile, Ala.
Pat graduated high school from McGill Institute in 1968 and embarked on a career in radio. His travels took him to many exotic locales from Clinton, Okla., to Spokane, Wash. On Pat’s annual Labor Day Program, he would recite incidents from many of those places, including his famous “firing stories.”
Pat arrived in Little Rock in 1983 “to serve the public interest, convenience, and necessity in the spirit of Newton N. Minow.” He was the star on radio station KARN each weekday from nine until noon. In October 2000, Pat began a daily radio show on 103.7 originating from the historic KAAY building in Riverdale. He absolutely loved his many loyal listeners.
The highlight of each year was the Annual PATFEST Parade
on his birthday. The big reveal was the annual selection of the Grand Marshall – always a timely and humorous choice. This was followed by callers describing, in great detail, the humorous floats that were passing in front of their very eyes. Lyncho had some very creative listeners.
Pat interviewed many celebrities including Captain Kangaroo, Jesse Jackson, Susan McDougal, Timothy Leary, Shirley Jones, Gen. William Westmoreland, Tiny Tim, Bill and Hillary Clinton. Pat’s newspaper column was a weekly fixture in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for 11 years.
One of Pat’s passions was the ACLU of Arkansas. He was an outspoken opponent of the death penalty and was honored as Abolitionist of the Year and Civil Libertarian of the Year. He served six years on the ACLU National Board. He was also a member of the Society of Professional Journalists and Little Rock Founders Lions Club.
Twelve years of Catholic School Education eventually paid off, as Pat became a student of theology at the Anglican School of Ministry. He earned a diploma in Theological Studies in the summer of 2010 and in September 2013 he completed his Masters in Ministry (MMin). He was a frequent teacher for the Growing in Grace recovery ministry at St. Andrew’s Church. The good Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet and the Brothers of the Sacred Heart would be proud!
Pat had two major loves in his life: his beautiful wife of 19 years, Marie; and his sweet beagle, Molly, who passed in 2012. They made his life an absolute joy. The lovely Marie moved here from Michigan in the Fall of 2000, after a whirlwind internet romance. At David Bazzel’s encouragement, they were wed on live radio from the historic KAAY building in Riverdale on Valentine’s Day 2002.
Pat was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, John Mark Lynch; and his cousin, Raymond Allen. In addition to Marie, Pat is survived by his cousins, Jerry Allen and his sister, Betsy Allen, both of Dallas.
While Pat’s instructions to his personal representative stated, “At the request of Mr. Lynch, floral tributes should be sent in lieu of contributions to charities of dubious quality. Those who insist on making a “lasting memorial” are instructed by the deceased to contribute to the American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas.”
As these instructions were written 25 years ago and Pat mellowed considerably over time, you may also honor his memory by memorials to St. Andrew’s Church, 8300 Kanis Rd., Little Rock, Ark. 72204.
There will be a glorious PATFEST celebration on August 5, 2021, at the St. Andrew’s Pavilion to meet other friends of Pat and celebrate his life from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.