Jerome Preston Lynch was born on Thursday, November 30, 1950 in Franklin, Virginia to Lois Odessa Vinson Lynch and Isaac Lynch Sr.  He transitioned from this life to everlasting life on Saturday, September 12, 2026 in the comfort of his home.

Jerome moved to Newport News at age four and later moved to Hampton, where he attended Phenix High School.  He graduated from Hampton High in 1970, where he played football.

In 1977, Jerome graduated from Norfolk State University with a degree in Industrial Education.  He worked numerous jobs at Newport News Shipbuilding, William and Mary, and UPS, just to name a few.  He was a wood craftsman at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, where he retired after 16 years in 1994.

He was a member of the Hampton Roads Z Club for 20 years and a lifelong Chicago Bears fan.  He loved music of all genres. Jerome was a member of First Baptist Jefferson Park. He joined Macedonia in 2021 to be with his wife.  Jerome was preceded in death by his parents, Isaac and Lois Lynch, and his brother, Nicholas Morgan Lynch, who passed on August 23, 2026.

He is survived by his wife Valerie Lynch, brother Isaac Lynch Jr. (Barbara), stepchildren LaTrese Martin and Ernest Martin Jr., and step grandchildren Jada Knight, Taya Coates, Ernest Martin III, Ervin Martin, Maya Martin and Aliyah Martin who he loved dearly, nephew Travis Lynch (Bianca), nieces Morgan Song (Segene) , Karen Briscoe (Andre) and Corie Johnson, brother in law, Arthur M Price Jr., sister in laws Barbara Lynch, Romonia Lynch, Rebecca Jenkins, Roberta Cousins (David), Sandra Everett (Charles) and Joanne Bullock, along with many other family members and friends.

The family truly appreciates everyone, including his amazing Riverside care team, for their support during his recent months in hospice.  A special thank you to Linwood Boykins for visiting from Florida every chance he could, Martha Lewis (Lil Bit) who would come from Maryland on the train just to visit, Tyrone Ellis, his close childhood friend who always would bring him his snacks, Archie Billinger and William and Mallisia Palmer who were faithful in checking in, his step grandchild Taya Coates who he thought was the smartest person in the world and looked forward to spending his Fridays with when he could order from Amazon and eat what he wanted while his wife was out, and cousin Kenneth Cox who was with him when he took his last breath.

Jerome was truly a friend to all, he met no strangers.  He will be remembered for his love of his family and the Lord, laughter, and most of all, his wit.

Viewing will be held from 11:00 a.m. until the Celebration of Life service staring at 1:00 p.m. Monday, September 21, 2026 at Macedonia Baptist Church. Interment will be in Hampton Memorial Gardens.