Raymond Luther Lynch was born July 3, 1949, in Morgantown, WV, to the late Ray S. and Thelma Shoemaker Lynch. Bud passed peacefully at his home in Baxter on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026,  with his wife, Penny, at his side. He was 76 years old.

Bud was a graduate of MHS and served his country in the US Army in Germany from 1969 to 1972 during the Vietnam Conflict. Raymond was a valued member of the Clinton District Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years, serving in various leadership roles.

He was a coal miner and began his career at the Arkwright #1 mine, where in 1978, while still a red hat, he was in a roof fall and, although covered from the waist down, he saved the lives of two fellow coal miners, earning him the Joseph P. Holmes Safety Award. He retired from the Loveridge Mine.

He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and cutting his grass in his spare time.

He is survived by his wife Penelope 'Penny' Johnson Lynch, his two daughters. Karen and spouse Michael Strahin, and Katie and spouse Joey LaMottie, eight grandchildren, Kalie (Cody) Vargo, Rylie, Zoey, and Chelsea LaMottie, Jenna (Jessee) Obrad, Shala Obrad (Mike Sions), Cody (Selena) Obrad, & Maddie Obrad (Shay Morgan), and 14 great grandchildren, soon to be 16.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Kenneth (Spike) Lynch, in 1983, and a nephew, Michael Lynch.

The family would like to express a special thank you to Amedisys Hospice for their care and concern, especially Delphia and Angie who he loved when they came.

Friends and family will gather at the Fred Jenkins Funeral Home, 10 South High Street, Morgantown, WV 26501 on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026 from 5 PM - 7 PM and again on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026 from 10 AM until time of services at 11 AM with Pastor Bill Lewis officiating. Bud will be laid to rest with honors at the WV National Cemetery.