“GREENSBORO — Mr. Charles Alan Lynam, 82, of Greensboro, went home to be with the Lord Saturday, June 8, 2013.
“A committal service will be held at 12:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 11, 2013 at Westminster Gardens, 3601 Whitehurst Road, Greensboro. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday at Grace Community Church, 643 W. Lee St., Greensboro, with Pastor Bill Goans officiating and a reception following in the Eagle’s Nest.
“Mr. Lynam was a native of Wake Forest, NC, the son of Lester and Edna Carroll Lynam. He was a graduate of Wake Forest High School. Mr. Lynam continued his education at Elon College, receiving a B.A. in Music Education, with an emphasis in voice. Further studies include an M.A. in Music Education at NYU; advanced graduate studies at Indiana University; voice study with Hans Heinz at Julliard; and one year of study with Erika Buchmann in Heidelberg, Germany. Mr. Lynam was a veteran of the U.S. Army and served during the Korean War stationed in Germany. Mr. Lynam had an active career performing extensively in recital, opera, and orchestral concerts throughout the United States including his role as soloist with the Eastern Philharmonic, Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, and on many occasions with the Greensboro Symphony Orchestra. During the earlier part of his career, he toured southern and midwestern states as singer and stage manager for the Grass Roots Opera Company. He further served as a member of the Chautauqua Opera Company. Mr Lynam joined the faculty of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 1964, was the recipient of a UNCG Alumni Teaching Excellence Award in 1979 and was named Teacher of the Year in the School of Music for 1999. Many of his students have won vocal competitions at the local, district, regional, and national levels (particularly in the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions) and are now successful professional singers; numerous others are teaching at leading colleges and universities. Beyond his career, Charles had varied interests and led a full life. He was an athlete, avid sports fan, an animal lover, always a jokester, and a family man; but most of all he was a lover of others. He had a powerful way of affirming, loving, and passing on the gifts with which God blessed him.
“Mr. Lynam was preceded in death by his parents; Lester and Enda Carroll Lynam, and brother-in-law, Robert Ferrone. Mr. Lynam is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years, Faye Jackson Lynam; son, Steven Alan Lynam and wife, Paula Stewart Lynam; daughter Carol Lynam Koontz and husband, Bryan Lee Koontz; sisters, Iris Sheets and husband, David, Janet Ferrone; grandchildren, Annelise Lynam Cheng and husband, Jack, Stewart Charles (Chad) Lynam and wife, Rachel, and Meredith Renee Koontz, David Thomas Koontz, and great grandson, Beauden Alan Cheng.
“In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Charles A. Lynam Vocal Competition and addressed to the UNCG School of Music Theater and Dance; care of David Holley, PO Box 26170, Greensboro, NC 27402-6170 or Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro, 2500 Summit Avenue, Greensboro, NC 27405. The family will receive friends from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. Monday at Hanes-Lineberry Funeral Home N. Elm St. and also at the church following the service. Online condolences may be made at www.haneslineberryfuneralhomes.com.”
(Published 6/10/13 by the News & Record.)