Celebrating the life of Bro. Timothy Lynem

Obituary

Timothy Lee Lynem was born on July 12, 1960 in Cincinnati, Ohio to Sherman and Juanita Lynem. He was a protective brother to his four sisters, devoted father of two daughters, Briana and Kristin Lynem, and loving partner to Patricia Brantley-Kirkendall. Tim departed this life on March 17, 2022 at age 61 surrounded by his family and close friends.

Tim was baptized at Greater Liberty Missionary Baptist Church (GLBC) at a young age where he attended Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, loved reading and studying the Bible, and thrived on challenging other students in his class to dig deeper into the word. He sang for many years in the Crusaders, an all male youth choir, the Children’s Choir, and later in the Voices of Heaven choir. He continued his love for singing as an adult in the Male Chorus and you could hear his beautiful tenor voice distinctly when he would sing “I Done Done What You Told Me to Do.” Tim also participated in the Boy Scout troop at GLBC for many years,  played basketball on the GLBC Warriors basketball team, and served on the Youth Usher Board. Tim was a very active young person at GLBC and developed many long-lasting friendships and brotherhoods that would carry on throughout his life. Tim continued his service to the Lord as an adult by participating in the Sons of God Ministry, the men’s retreats, and in the Matthew 28 Outreach Ministry. Tim also served in the media ministry and drove the church van to ensure that those without transportation could attend church services. You would also find Tim helping every Mother’s Day in the kitchen preparing the delicious Mother’s Day meal served by the men of the church. Tim was very proud to be a member of the Greater Liberty Missionary Baptist Church. 

Upon graduating from Walnut Hills High School in Cincinnati, Ohio, Tim attended University of Dayton where he received his Bachelor of Science in Data Processing. On November 20, 1980 while at UD, Tim was initiated into the Iota Theta chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated where his lifelong love for his fraternity began. Tim graduated from University of Dayton in 1982 and his daughters Briana and Kristin Lynem were later born out of his former union with their mother, Alicia Thompson. In 1983 Tim began his career at AT&T and later IBM, where he worked for almost 30 years, continuing to move into new leadership roles leading teams of systems and data analysts. Upon departure from his corporate roles, Tim tapped into his passion for math and later served as an algebra and geometry tutor for students at South Avondale School.

Tim loved to give back to his community through service. As a dedicated life member of the Delta Theta Sigma chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated, Tim breathed brotherhood, scholarship, and service. He played a pivotal role in forming the chapter’s foundation, served in many roles on the chapter’s executive board, and actively participated in all the chapter’s service activities including the Black Spend initiative, March of Dimes, Adopt-a-Family, and fundraising for the chapter’s scholarship fund.

Despite his health challenges, Tim lived life to the fullest and his quiet but powerful demeanor was a symbol of strength and perseverance for all those who knew him. On October 11, 2021, Tim celebrated the 12th anniversary of his double lung transplant and a second chance at life. He enjoyed traveling to domestic and international locations, including Florida, where he looked forward to spending hours on the beach and by the pool each year. At home, Tim’s neighbors knew him for his dedication to serving on the neighborhood HOA and pool boards, ensuring the neighborhood’s finances were in order.

Tim will be most remembered for his love for his family and his daughters who he selflessly supported through countless sports events, concerts, educational activities, and organizational involvement which extended throughout their college years into adulthood. He truly embodied what it meant to be a supportive, dedicated, and loving father. For those that knew him, he also had a strong passion for high school and college sports, the Cincinnati Bengals and Reds which was evident when you saw him in his team paraphernalia.

Tim was preceded in death by his sister, Harriet Turner and leaves to cherish his memory his parents, Sherman and Juanita Lynem; daughters, Briana and Kristin Lynem; significant other, Patricia Brantley-Kirkendall and her sons, Mario and Michael Kirkendall, and David Isaiah Brown; three sisters Hope Cobbins, Melanie (Mark) Williams, and Wendy Lynem; nieces and nephews, Eric Cobbins, Kim Cobbins, Jeffrey Cargile, Jr. (Jennifer), Antwan Lynem, Austin Dabney, Brandon Dabney, and Teirrah Turner; and a host of great nieces and nephews, Lynem and Peters family members, friends, and fraternity brothers.