Leonard Lynch

Leonard (Len) Lynch died peacefully on June 19th at his home in Lakewood Ranch, Florida with his wife Linda (Lindy) by his side.

Len was born in Chicago on November 6, 1940 to Everett and Luella (Doty) Lynch. He graduated from Grandview High School in 1958 and a year later he married Carol Sue Ashcraft. They were married nearly sixty years when Carol died in 2018. Their loving marriage produced two children, Jeffrey Lynch of Loch Lloyd, Missouri and Jennifer (Lynch) Krysa of West Des Moines, Iowa. Len joined Carol's Dad, Bill Mill, in 1959 to found Acme Dock Specialists. Len took the helm of the company until his retirement in 1989.

In 1975, Len joined the Masonic Lodge in Grandview, Missouri and subsequently joined the Ararat Shrine. He played in the Shrine Drum and Bugle Corps and participated in many parades and other events. He was appointed in 1992 to the Ararat Divan (management board). In this role he spent ten years in service to Ararat and Shriners Hospitals. In 2001 he served as Potentate (Chairman of the Board). For more than ten years after serving as Potentate, Len attended the Shriners annual meetings and was honored Emeritus member of the Hospital Corporation. Len also served in the prestigious role as Worshipful Master of Grandview Masonic Lodge.

Len was a member of the Royal Order of Jesters, Kansas City Court 54 and was court director for two consecutive years. In 1995 he received the "Hugh L. Libby Award" (named after Court 54 National Royal Director) for outstanding service to Court 54. In 2008 he received the John E. Miller award (named after "Johnny Miller" who became a Jester in 1932 and served the court with great distinction until his death in 1997). For many years Leonard performed as The King's Jester in the "Book of the Play." For over 20 years Len was a Presenter and Eulogist at the Rose Ceremony which pays tribute to a Jester at his passing. Len became a Court 54 National Representative Emeritus. This recognition is obtained by attending thirteen annual National Meetings held across North America.

Other roles reflecting Len’s many interests included Past member, Ararat Flying Fez; Member, Ararat Amateur Radio Club; Legion of Honor, Order of DeMolay; National Sojourners Chapter #63; Past Camaxtli, Order of Quetzalcoatl, OKET #7; SOBIB #201; Past Mesa Chief, Kachina Klub; and Honorary Warrior, Tribe of Mic-O-Say, Len also enjoyed woodworking. After Carol's death, Len found love again and when he met Dr. Linda Koehler. They were married fourteen months later.

Len is survived by his wife Linda, his children Jeffrey Lynch (Megan Clem) and Jennifer (Lynch) Krysa (Mike); grandchildren, Kaitlyn Lynch, Alexander Lynch, Claire Rupp, Jordan Krysa, Rachel Krysa and Brooke Krysa; great granddaughter Amelia Lynch; Linda’s two daughters who grew to love him, Piper Koehler and Laura Henaghan, and two sisters, Nancy Robinson and Kathy Mueller. Besides his parents, Len was preceded in death by his grandson, Harrison Rupp.