Dallas Ray Lynch

Dallas Ray Lynch, 94, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2014. We sat on a bend of the Columbia River in Washington state, a place he rode his bicycle to pan for gold when he was 16. Only 106 miles one way ... but he could get almost $80 over a weekend, which was a lot of money in 1936. "So how did he get that Silver Star in World War II?" his great-grandson Avery asked. "He was decorated after many fierce battles for putting his life at risk for others in 1944. He was passionate about protecting our freedom and defending America." Looking out across the terrain that Dallas loved most, his grandson Christopher continued, "Grand-dad use to say this is why Texans are so sad, no Multnomah Falls or Mount Hood to hike to. He declined his fourth and fifth Purple Hearts, telling his commander, "Never mind ... Mom worries too much every time she gets one of those yellow telegrams." Wide-eyed Avery asked "So he got more than one Purple Heart?" "Actually he received three in one night ... during the battle campaign just before D-Day in an area later known as the Purple Heart Valley where 92,000 men gave their all. This defense by Americans and Allies in 1944 was key to turning World War II towards peace. Your great-granddad was never boastful about these medals either ... the cost in human life was tremendous. Do you remember the Purple Heart mission statement?" Avery nodded, "All gave some and some gave all. So, Granddaddy got the Distinguished Service Cross too?" "That and many more, your great Aunt Cynthia found them in his attic ... and framed them. As they walked Avery spoke softly, "He was a remarkable man, I wish I'd known him better." "You can actually look up intheirwords.org and you can hear about his final award as Patriot of the Year from the Military Order of The Purple Heart in 2007." "What did he do after the war, Dad?" Shaking his head with a warm smile Chris shot off, "That's a great story too! He first retired as a lieutenant colonel from the Army Corps of Engineers, 235th. After the war he was a demolition expert and led teams to clear and de-dud all remaining ordnance in over eight million acres in the U.S. He saved our country millions of dollars when he was charged to clear a piece of land in Florida that later became Disney World! He then had a second career with the Civilian Corps of Engineers out of Little Rock, Ark. and later was an emergency services consultant for the city of Little Rock and received their Distinguished Civilian Employee Award in 1995." The love of his life was his bride, Virginia, who was by his side through it all for 71 years ... her laughter lit up the room, but her love touched generation after generation. He wasn't the same when she died last year. Dallas' love of God was his stronghold; he lived out his faith in every battle of war and life, saying, "There are no atheists in a fox hole." He delighted in his church family at Shady Grove Baptist Church and serving where ever he could daily! His kids, Daniel and Cynthia, remember his favorite songs as "How Great Thou Art" and "Battle Hymn of the Republic." His son-in-law, Jon Cordeiro, said, "He's the dad I never had. His contribution in my life, as well as the lives of the men at New Name Ministries, has changed our lives forever. He left a living legacy to God's glory." Walking away from the river, the sun was setting and the air grew still. As the remaining Lynch generations walked on they remembered Dallas' parting remark during his last battle, "You can't threaten me with heaven!" Congratulations on your final promotion, Lt. Col. Dallas Ray Lynch, heaven's newest secret weapon! Lynch MOPH Patriot of the Year 2007. Sept. 20, 1920 - Nov. 12, 2014. The "dash" between the dates was a remarkable life by an unforgettable man. Memorials: In lieu of flowers/gifts, please make contributions in Dallas Lynch's name to one of the following: New Name Ministries of Fort Worth, Texas, Military Order of The Purple Heart, or Shady Grove Baptist Church of North Richland Hills.