Truman Everette Lynch, 96, passed away on July 25, 2023, in South Jordan, Utah. He was born on March 31, 1927, in Geddes, South Dakota, to Everette Christian Lynch and Ida Lena Hronish. He married Betty Louise Colfelt on June 23, 1945, in Stockton, California. It was later solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple on July 2, 1948. They cherished and served each other for 78 years.

Truman served active duty in WWII in the navy the first year of their marriage being stationed primarily in the Philippines. After an honorable discharge, he finished high school and played guard on the undefeated football team. He was later inducted into the Seaside High Football Hall of Fame.

Truman and Betty began a family which grew to 6 children beginning in Klamath Falls, Oregon, and ending on a 20-acre orchard/farm set in the redwood forested hills of Santa Cruz, California. He worked as a meat cutter for nearly 20 years. Life became difficult when their house burned to the ground. They lived in an old farm garage for a year while Truman and Betty’s Grandpa Allred built a new house from old materials Truman salvaged from old buildings. He had a knack for finding a deal and making something out of nothing. He also cleared a building lot and built a house for Betty’s sister, Jackie.

Truman and Betty decided to sell the farm and take their family to Utah – “Zion”. First to Parowan, Utah, and then Cedar City, Utah, where he and a partner bought and ran a meat processing locker and grocery store. He later added an ice cream parlor. Eventually, Truman studied to become a meat inspector in Utah, and moved to Kanab. Truman and Betty fell in love with Kanab, made many dear friends, and stayed for 38 years. Training and riding horses became his passion, and he lived out his cowboy dreams. Truman used his building experience and built Lazy Days, a 30-unit apartment complex which they managed and maintained until he retired.

Truman spent his life in service to the Lord in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Being a very active member in several wards throughout his married life, he used his talents most often serving as a counselor in several Bishoprics. He loved to minister to others as a home teacher or on the church farm. He and Betty served as temple workers for 35 years. Truman received the sealing keys, and was called to be a Sealer in the St. George Temple. They also were companions serving three full-time missions for the Church. – Saskatchewan, Canada, Spokane, Washington, and Granby Colorado. He loved the gospel and bore sincere, humble testimony of Joseph Smith and the restored gospel of his savior, Jesus Christ.

Truman loved the country for which he was willing to die, and spent his life working to preserve the freedoms protected by the Constitution. He taught his family and neighbors in the community the importance of standing up to those who would infringe on those freedoms. He fought to keep the rural roads open to access public lands in southern Utah.

After retirement they bought a house in Ogden, Utah, where they again made many cherished friends. When home ownership became too much for them, their son, Jerry, transformed his basement into a lovely apartment for them in South Jordan for the last 8 years. Again, they made many dear friends and were able to travel and be surrounded by loving family. Truman died peacefully in his sleep. Betty, the love of his life had passed 4 weeks to the day prior, and he was not going to be apart any longer.

Truman is survived by his children, Peggy Allred, Patty Wilcox (Robin), Gerald Lynch (Lyn), Richard Lynch (Gina), and Barbara Connell (Rick Smith) and his brother Richard Lynch. His posterity is his legacy and includes 23 grandchildren, 69 great-grandchildren, and ten great-great-grandchildren with 4 more on the way.

He is preceded in death by his wife, parents, his brother, Kenneth, and his infant son, Larry.

Funeral services will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 10115 Yorkshire Drive, South Jordan, Utah, 84009 on Thursday, August 3, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. with a viewing prior from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The burial will be on Saturday, August 5, 2023, at 10 a.m. at the Kanab City Cemetery in Kanab, Utah. Kanab arrangements were made with Mosdell Mortuary.