Thomas Michael Lynch was born on May 31, 1914, to parents Patrick and Loretta Lynch in Morrin, Alberta. He had an older brother, Jack, two older sisters, Mary and Helen, and 2 younger sisters Margaret and Madeline. Tom’s family eventually moved east of the McArthur farm (which is now the McGougan’s farm) where his dad, Patrick, used to haul hay to the livery stable in Trochu. His dad had vivid memories of Tom as a 4 year old riding to town on a load of hay with him, when the team of horses suddenly bolted and ran into the “pigeon bridge” by Art Rodes. Tom had managed to fall asleep and somehow didn’t wake up until after this happened!
In 1919, when Tom was 5 years old, his family moved into Trochu where they lived in the basement of the old Pontmain School. His mother was the caretaker for the school and his father hauled coal for the local businesses. At age 14, Tom left school for awhile and took over the dray business during the time his father needed to go to Kamloops because times were tough. He was left in charge of 2 teams of horses to haul coal to their customers. He would pick up Tom McKinley at 4:00 am in the morning and head to his coal mine on the flats east of Trochu where they would load 2 tons of coal on the wagon. Some trips were down into the river valley to the relief camp. He had to put chains on the wheels to come down the hill. The horses were sharp shod but the load would still slide on the steep parts of the road.
After finishing his education at Pontmain School, he spent the summer herding bucking horses to rodeos at Trochu, Lousana, Pine Lake, Big Valley, Rumsey and Content Bridge for Shady (Howard) Green. Tom and Shady would take about 30 head of horses to each rodeo. Often other chuck wagons from across the river would meet with Shady’s wagon (the Ranches present building site) and then join Tom Lauder and Jim Ross in Trochu to make their way down to the Calgary Stampede. Tom rode herd on the bucking horses as it usually took them a couple of weeks to get to Calgary as they stopped at some small rodeos on the way. At the Calgary Stampede, Tom was an outrider for the Jim Ross wagon. Tom and his friends, Breezy (Bill) and Art Kober, rode in 3 events at the Stampede – bareback, saddle bronc and bulls. He spent four seasons competing at rodeos with Jake Kramer, Jiggs and Art Boyce. Later Tom went to work for Ben Parker north of Rumsey, and Jim Thompson.
Heading down to the Cochrane area Tom began work for a remittance man, Tom Fuchs, who ran about 50 head of cattle and over 40 thoroughbreds. He spent his days breaking horses and getting them ready for the track. Near this time he also worked at St. Mary’s Dam in deep southern Alberta.
World War Two began so Tom went to Calgary and enlisted in the RCAF (Royal Canadian Air Force) where he struck up a friendship with the Connop boys, Jim and George. They had a family ranch out at Bragg Creek so when they had time off, Tom and the boys would go out there and help with the cattle and haying. Tom was then discharged from the RCAF in 1946 and came back to the Red Deer River Valley east of Trochu where he first leased, then bought, several quarters of land from the C.P.R.
In 1948 Tom Lynch married Hazel Hudson from the Elnora area. At this time Tom was working as ferryman on the Tolman ferry. Tom and Hazel had two sons, Jim (1950) and Jesse (1951). One year later Tom lost his beloved wife, Hazel, to polio. As Tom was unable to work and take care of his boys at the same time, he took them to stay in the Lacombe Home at Midnapore. His sister Helen lived in Calgary so she often took Jim and Jesse to her place.
Tom then worked for the Department of Highways as a grader man patrolling from the correction line south of Three Hills up to Elnora. During the summers of 1955 to 1957 Slim and Millie Riddell looked after the ranch and cattle while Tom worked as foreman for Claude Brewster’s riding stable at Banff. It was then that he met his beautiful second wife, Wilhemina Locke, while they were both working in Banff. The following year, Tom and Willie were married in York Mills, Ontario. Returning to the Red Deer River Valley, Tom and Willie continued to build on what Tom had started years before. Tom purchased the original log cabin in 1953 from an Indian up in the Nordegg Area. It had been used as a cookshack for the lumbermen. Tom took the cabin apart and numbered each log for easier assembly. He hired Roy Campbell to haul it to the ranch, and as payment he gave him a saddle horse.
Jim and Jes soon had a sister, Lynda (1958) and two brothers, Tim (1960) and Mark (Sandy) (1962). In 1963, Tom and his two oldest sons, Jim and Jesse, added on the rest of the house to the original cabin. The children grew up on the ranch helping with various chores and ranch activities and riding their horses in local gymkhanas.
In the early sixties Tom also did a bit of custom baling for neighbors. Tom drove school bus to help supplement their income from 1968 – 1979, and Willie also drove bus from 1971 – 2001. Tom was one of the founding members of the Trochu Light Horse Club and the Red Deer Quarter Horse Association, and was also a very active member of both. He shared his love of competing in shows and gymkhanas with his family by taking them to horse shows every weekend that he could.
Around 1966, Tom and his family started to take in unaccompanied youngsters aged 8 – 16 as summer guests. They later joined the Alberta Country Vacations Association, and their business grew to the present time where they now have improved accommodations to take guests of all ages.
Over the years, Tom always enjoyed the opportunity to help neighbors at branding time. He was well known for his mischievous ability to tease people as well as his ability to vocalize his strong opinions regarding Canadian politics. Tom was an active 4-H leader for many years and provided horses for the kids that could not afford to buy a horse, but wanted the “horse owning” experience.
During the past few years Tom was able to keep fairly active, still being more than capable to climb on his palomino horse, Casper, until the age of 93, and ride along the Red Deer River, though the badlands and areas he had ridden all his life. He was also well known for allowing relatives, in laws, outlaws, and guests the opportunity to help with farming, fencing, riding, and all other forms of the ranching experience. If Tom wasn’t on his horse, you could usually find him in his truck over seeing cutting, baling, or riding, and he was always ready to lend a helping hand. He amazed so many people with his agility and hard working, determined manner that allowed him to achieve so many feats, such as riding in every STARS ride until he was 93.
Not only did he have a love for horses and dogs, but he also loved working with cattle, especially calving in the springtime. Also loving to drive, Tom had a knack for bumping into things with his blue truck, and somehow never noticing. A few others loves in Tom’s life were spending time with his family during holidays, having a coffee and visiting with neighbors, rebuilding old saddles, shooting gophers with his unbelievable aim, and last but not least, living all aspects of the Ranch life and living his dream as it was coming true. He has built his ranch up into so much from starting with next to nothing and is so proud to share it with his family and the many guests that he met in his lifetime. His dream was to build a beautiful working ranch for himself and others to enjoy. He always loved getting compliments from people and watching them learn about life on a real ranch.
He wants his ranch to stay running as he did so others can continue to enjoy it. So, at the TL Bar Ranch lives the legacy, years of hard work, and love for family that Thomas Michael Lynch dreamed of, and brought to life for many to enjoy. Tom, as a husband, father, grandpa and great-grandpa we are so blessed to have had so many wonderful years with you. You have always been an honorable man and we feel proud to carry forth your legacy. Thank you for everything you have given us, taught us, and allowed us to experience. We love you with all our hearts and we always will. In our hearts, thoughts, and dreams you will forever live on, as will all the happy memories we cherish of you within. A more admirable man has not yet graced our lives in the way you have, we pray that the good Lord gives you the best mount to continue on as you ride forever through the Red Deer River Valley.
He loved to write poetry and showed much of his humour through his writings. This was written by Tom in 1989
We rode the trails together
Through the valleys and the hills
We’ve ridden through all the weather
And had so many thrills
Now each year as we gather
To ride the trails once more
We see the happy faces
And all the smiles galore
We have brought our best horses
They have proven tried and true
To cross the streams and rivers
Through muskeg, over rocks and tree roots too
When our ride is over
And we say “so long” to friends
With promises to gather
Next year again
When my journey’s over
From this land we’re passing through
I hope the Lord will let me
Ride the trails once more with you
Written by: Thomas Lynch 1989
Thomas Michael Lynch, beloved husband of Willie, passed away Sept 30, 2010 at St. Mary’s Health Care Centre in Trochu, AB at the age of 96 years old.
Tom was born to Part and Loretta Lynch in Morrin, AB, May 31, 1914. He spent his life with a dream of having his own ranch along the Red Deer River. After years of work on various ranches throughout Alberta and a stint in the Royal Canadian Sir Force, he then went to work in Banff for Brewster’s where he met Wilhelmina June Locke. They married in 1957. He achieved his dream and spent his life enjoying his love of ranching and horses.
Tom is survived by his loving wife Willie, his two sons Jim (Barb), Tracey, Cory and son Jesse (Carrie), Craig and Brandee from his first marriage to Hazel Hudson, who passed away in 1953. His three children with Willie, daughter Lynda (Darby, Lexi, Justin, Ethan Lynch, and Jesse McCauley, son Tom (Deanie, Jaime (Ricky) and Chase Anderson, Kris (and son Tiernan), and son Mark.
Tom is predeceased by his Father (Patrick), Mother (Loretta), and siblings John (Jack), Mary, Helen, Margaret and Madeleine.
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