Jerry "Gator" Ray Lynch, 72, of Madisonville KY, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at Owensboro Health Hospital.

Jerry was born on August 22, 1953, a native of Crittenden Co Kentucky where he was raised by his adopted parents Luther and Ruby Lynch.

Jerry spent many years preaching God's word. He loved trucks and he could drive most anything on wheels. He also loved being with family & friends.

Jerry was a member of Living Waters church in Madisonville Ky.

In addition to his adopted parents, he was preceded in death by his birth parents, Henry and Elizabeth Qualls; one brother, Charles Qualls; and three sisters, Emeline (Bill) Carter, Jody Posey, and Bobby Turner.

His survivors include his wife of two years, Patti Lynch of Beaver Dam, KY; sons, David Lynch of Madisonville, KY, Jeremy (Angela) Hatfield, and Joshua (Christi) Hatfield, both of Beaver Dam, KY; two daughters, Sherry (Wayne) Barnes of Dawson Springs, KY and Tamara (Brian) Sidebottom of Elkton, KY; twenty-four grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren; and numerous close friends.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, January 8, 2026, in the chapel of Harris Funeral Home with Patti Lynch, David Lynch, Chris Ball, and Jeremy Hatfield officiating. Burial to follow at Odd Fellows Cemetery in Madisonville.

Visitation will be from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Wednesday and from 9 a.m. until the funeral hour on Thursday at the funeral home.

Pallbearers will be Wayne Barnes, Brian Sidebottom, Joshua Hatfield, Zeke Hatfield, Eli Hatfield, and Jacob Hatfield.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jerry's memory to Breaking Bread Ministries, P.O. Box 1821, Madisonville, KY, or to the Kenya Kid's Ministry, c/o Commonwealth Community Bank, 830 South Main Street, Hartford, KY 42347.