Paul “Tom” Lynam Jr.

Mass of Christian Burial Services for Tom Lynam Jr., 74, of Lenox, who passed away Friday, Sept. 1, 2023, in Iowa City will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 8 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Lenox. Visitation will be held 4-7 p.m., with family greeting friends from 5-7 p.m., and a 7 p.m. prayer service on Thursday at the Ritchie Funeral Home. Interment with military honors will be held at the North Fairview Cemetery in Lenox.

Memorials may be directed to the Lenox Library or St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. Memories may be shared with the family at www.ritchiefuneralhome.com under Obituaries. Arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home of Lenox where we ‘celebrate life.’

Paul Thomas (Tom) Lynam Jr. was the first child born to Paul Thomas Lynam Sr. and Monica Marie (Curnyn) Lynam in Red Oak on Nov. 23, 1948. Tom was joined by sister Kathleen Marie (Kay) 14 months later. Five years later the family was complete with the arrival of Eileen Amelia. Tom grew up on the family farm located northwest of Lenox. Tom had many fond memories of growing up on the farm and the great times spent with his extended family and neighbors. He loved everything related to the farm, except early chores after a night out with friends.

Tom attended country school through the fifth grade at Mercer Township School. He went to Lenox Community Schools, Lenox, in the sixth grade. He was active in marching and concert band and student council and was the president of his senior class. Tom was a proud member of the Lenox High School graduating class of 1967 and maintained lasting friendships with his classmates.

After graduation, Tom ventured off to Ames to attend Iowa State University. He enjoyed college life and being able to room with his high school friends. However, life had other plans for him, and he left to attend basic training in Fort Lewis, Washington, in August 1969. Following basic, he was released from active duty to serve as a member of the Iowa Army National Guard in November 1969. In February 1970, his father passed away suddenly, and Tom returned to the family farm.

In April 1971, Tom married Debbie Key. They were blessed with three children: Paul Thomas III, Amy Marie and Evan Key. Tom enjoyed spending time at their sporting events and getting to know their friends. He was very proud of all three of them. They moved into town, and Tom and Deb divorced in 1986.

Tom started his second career in 1986. He went to work for the Iowa State Department of Transportation as a road construction inspector out of the Creston office. He inspected projects from north of Des Moines to the Missouri border over the 24 years he worked for IDOT. He was particularly proud of many of his projects, but especially the one where rumble strips were installed on Highway 34 from Creston to Thayer, as it was the first project of its kind in Iowa. He retired in 2010.

Tom married Jeanine Nook Lanteri March 16, 1996, at her mother’s home. The wedding was small and simple, but the party following was big and fun! Following the death of Liz, Tom and Jeanine moved into the Beach family house, so nearly all of their 27 anniversaries were spent right where they got married. Tom gained three sons, Ryan, Tony and Josh Lanteri, as well as the Beach and Nook families.

Following his retirement, Tom got to return to his most fun career…playing in the dirt! He helped Trost Farms for several years, and spent many falls and springs helping Kurt Brown farm. In fall 2022, he decided it was time to retire from that, too, as the steps up the combine were getting too high.

Tom was a member of the St. Patrick Catholic Church, American Legion Parkinson Post 250, Friends of the Library and the Wednesday men’s golf club. He served as an EMT on the Lenox Ambulance Service for several years. He enjoyed reading, walking, doing crop tours, playing golf, the Iowa State Cyclones, Kansas City Chiefs, NASCAR, coconut cream pie, ice cream, the annual guys trip to Las Vegas and the daily table of knowledge, also known as morning coffee with his friends.

He and Jeanine enjoyed cruising country roads and taking vacations. Every driving vacation took place on the backroads unless they flew. Getting to spend time with family and friends, planning class reunions, watching their grandchildren grow and porch and deck sitting were all important in their life together.

Tom left this world for a better one Sept. 1, 2023, following a short illness, at University of Iowa Hospitals in Iowa City, with family and love surrounding him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Monica Lynam; parents-in-law: Elizabeth Beach Brown and Clifford Nook; his grandparents; many aunts; uncles and cousins.

Tom will be missed greatly by his wife, Jeanine; children: Paul (Klisa) Lynam of Lenox, Amy (Jeff) Tull of Lenox, Evan (Jo) Lynam of Boise, Idaho, Ryan (Stephanie) Lanteri of Lenox, Tony (Valeria) Duncan, of Oklahoma and Josh (Katie) Lanteri of Carmel, Indiana; grandchildren: Brad (Katie) Lynam, Sadee Rojas, KJ Lynam, Kreyton Lynam, Dayton Tull, Raleigh Lynam, Brandon, Madison, Elizabeth, Myah (Sam Chapman), Vince, Violet, Cooper and Bowie Lanteri and great-grandchildren: Kaelee, Baron, Karsyn and Blake Lynam, Drakelee, Lexton and Dreyzen Rojas and Tommy Chapman; sisters: Kay (Mike) Cheese and Eileen (Don) Keast; brother-in-law, Greg (Becky) Nook; many nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.

We will forever hold the precious memories of Tom in our hearts. May he be at peace in God’s loving care.