Sponsored by Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. – Cincinnati Chapter & The Delta Theta Sigma Foundation
Bro. Tim Lynem, Biography
Bro. Timothy Lee Lynem was born on July 12, 1960, in Cincinnati, Ohio to Sherman and Juanita Lynem.
He was a protective brother to his four sisters, devoted father of two daughters, Briana and Kristin
Lynem, and loving partner to Patricia Brantley-Kirkendall.
Bro. Lynem was baptized at Greater Liberty Missionary Baptist Church (GLBC) at a young age where he
attended Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, loved reading and studying the Bible, and thrived on
challenging other students in his class to dig deeper into the word. He sang for many years in the
Crusaders, an all male youth choir, the Children’s Choir, and later in the Voices of Heaven choir. He
continued his love for singing as an adult in the Male Chorus and you could hear his beautiful tenor
voice distinctly when he would sing “I Done Done What You Told Me to Do.” Bro. Lynem also
participated in the Boy Scout troop at GLBC for many years, played basketball on the GLBC Warriors
basketball team, and served on the Youth Usher Board. Bro. Lynem was a very active young person at
GLBC and developed many long-lasting friendships and brotherhoods that would carry on throughout
his life. Bro. Lynem continued his service to the Lord as an adult by participating in the Sons of God
Ministry, the men’s retreats, and in the Matthew 28 Outreach Ministry. Bro. Lynem also served in the
media ministry and drove the church van to ensure that those without transportation could attend
church services. You would also find Bro. Lynem helping every Mother’s Day in the kitchen preparing the delicious Mother’s Day meal served by the men of the church. Bro. Lynem was very proud to be a
member of the Greater Liberty Missionary Baptist Church.
Upon graduating from Walnut Hills High School in Cincinnati, Ohio, Bro. Lynem attended University of
Dayton where he received his Bachelor of Science in Data Processing. On November 20, 1980 while at
UD, Bro. Lynem was initiated into the Iota Theta chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated
where his lifelong love for his fraternity began. Bro. Lynem graduated from the University of Dayton in
1982, and his daughters Briana and Kristin Lynem were later born out of his former union with their
mother, Alicia Thompson. In 1983, Bro. Lynem began his career at AT&T and later IBM, where he
worked for almost 30 years, continuing to move into new leadership roles leading teams of systems and
data analysts. Upon departure from his corporate roles, Bro. Lynem tapped into his passion for math
and later served as an algebra and geometry tutor for students at South Avondale School.
Bro. Lynem loved to give back to his community through service. As a dedicated life member of the
Delta Theta Sigma chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated, Bro. Lynem breathed
brotherhood, scholarship, and service. He played a pivotal role in forming the chapter’s foundation,
served in many roles on the chapter’s executive board, and actively participated in all the chapter’s
service activities including the Black Spend initiative, March of Dimes, Adopt-a-Family, and fundraising
for the chapter’s scholarship fund.
Despite his health challenges, Bro. Lynem lived life to the fullest and his quiet but powerful demeanor
was a symbol of strength and perseverance for all those who knew him. On October 11, 2021, Bro.
Lynem celebrated the 12th anniversary of his double lung transplant and a second chance in life. He
enjoyed traveling to domestic and international locations, including Florida, where he looked forward to
spending hours on the beach and by the pool each year. At home, Bro. Lynem’s neighbors knew him for his dedication to serving on the neighborhood HOA and pool boards, ensuring the neighborhood’s
finances were in order.
Bro. Tim Lynem departed this life on March 17, 2022 at age 61 surrounded by his family and close
friends.
Scholarship Eligibility
To be eligible to receive the Bro. Tim Lynem Scholarship, each applicant must be: (1) a male, African
American male; (2) currently enrolled and attending an accredited College and/or University taking 12-15 credits hours a semester; (3) have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.
Scholarship Amount and Disbursement
The amount of the scholarship that will be awarded will total $2,500. The funds will be disbursed
directly to the institution of higher education that the recipient will be attending in two separate
payments – one before the Fall Semester and the other before the Spring Semester. In the event the
recipient is not enrolled in the institution, the funds will be returned to the Foundation to be disbursed
to the next four-year institution in that same year or will be forfeited.