MCGREGOR, TX — The McGregor ISD community is mourning the loss of a coach and teacher who died in an ATV accident Friday.
The district said Saturday that Jerry Lynch, coach, teacher and leader of the PALS program in the district, had passed away on Friday. The Texas Department of Public Safety said Lynch was involved in an ATV accident on Prairie Chapel Road near Morgan Road northwest of Crawford.
DPS said that Lynch was unable to maintain her lane while negotiating a curve and left the roadway, overturning as she went up a hill.
Her friend of over 25 years, Tim Seward, reflected on her death. He said it wasn't going to be the same without Lynch around.
"It'll be a tough deal for all of her kids, you know because she's at the door and she greets everybody with a handshake. She teaches those kids how to look somebody in the eye, and how to be honest with them, and how to care about other people way more than you care about yourself, and teaches them how to be leaders," Seward said.
Lynch had led the PALS program for the district and challenged her students to "go forth and be leaders," according to McGregor ISD Superintendent James Lenamon.
Lynch was in education for 31 years and 27 years at McGregor. She began her teaching career at Lorena ISD in 1987.
Lenamon also said that Lynch had taught students to drive and the value of service.
She was an active member of Crawford United Methodist Church where she served on the administration board, a trustee and various other committees.
Lynch was also a cancer survivor.
"Jerry will be greatly missed," said Lenamon in a statement. "She had a love for McGregor ISD that was unmatched."
Services for Lynch have been set for this week.
A visitation is set to be held for Lynch at 5 p.m. on Wednesday. It will be held at the McGregor High School Auditorium.
The funeral is set to be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday in the high school auditorium, as well.
If anyone would like to make memorial contributions, they can be made to First United Methodist Church or Crawford Cemetery Association.
