In the quiet spring of 2017, the life of Howell Jackson Lynch, Jr., a man of 65 years, came to a peaceful close at his home in New Orleans, Louisiana. Born on March 15, 1952, in Pulaski, Tennessee, his journey was one marked by service, scholarship, and a deep devotion to his family and community. There is no information available from online sources detailing any arrests or suspects in relation to his passing.
Lynch's early life in Tennessee shaped the man he would become.
Shortly after graduating from Battle Ground Academy in Franklin in 1970, he answered the call to duty, enlisting in the United States Marine Corps. His five years of service were distinguished by a year spent studying the Russian language, a testament to his intellectual curiosity, and an 18-month deployment to Misawa, Japan, where he served as a radio and telephone intercept operator. This period of his life underscored a commitment to his country that would be a recurring theme.
Upon returning to civilian life, he pursued higher education with vigor, earning an accounting degree from Middle Tennessee State University. His thirst for knowledge led him to further academic achievements, culminating in a Ph.D. in tax accounting from Texas A&M. This passion for learning naturally evolved into a passion for teaching. He dedicated his professional life to educating others, holding faculty positions at the University of New Orleans, Lamar University, and Loyola University until his retirement in 2016. His commitment to his students was evident in his willingness to prepare their tax returns free of charge and his role as an advisor for the Association of Black Accountants at Lamar University.
Beyond his professional and military accomplishments, Howell Jackson Lynch, Jr. was a man deeply rooted in his faith and community, a member of The Lake Vista United Methodist Church in New Orleans. His life was a rich tapestry woven with the love of his wife of 35 years, Jeanette, their children, Jackson, Mary Anne, and Nicholas, and a wide circle of family and friends who remembered him for his kindness and dedication.
