Craig Hampton Lynn, much-beloved son, husband, father, and friend, passed on July 1, 2026, at the age of 62 in Nashville, Tennessee. He passed away peacefully while surrounded by his loving family.
Born on December 26, 1963, in Knoxville, Tennessee, Craig was the son of Jim R. Lynn and Betty Carol Lynn. Craig grew up in Gainsboro and Sparta, Tennessee, and graduated from White County High School in 1982. Craig continued his education at Tennessee Technological University, where he was president of FarmHouse Fraternity and earned a Bachelor of Science in Education, Master of Business Administration, and Specialist in Education. He had a passion for education and worked as a math and science teacher, a principal of numerous schools, an adjunct professor for local colleges, and finally, as the Supervisor of Secondary Instruction for the White County School System.
Throughout his life, Craig was a constant source of kindness and strength to his family and friends. Craig married his beloved wife, Sheila Kay Maas, in 1989, and they built a wonderful, love-filled life together. They raised two daughters, Alexandra Camille Lynn (Ryan Terrence Sweet) and Morgan Victoria Young (James Andrew Young), who will be forever grateful for their father’s unwavering and ever-present love, guidance, and support in their lives. Craig was an incredible father and a wonderful husband, and his girls will carry forward his selflessness and love for them forever.
Along with his parents, wife, and children, Craig is survived by his sister, Cheri Lee Harold (Joe Harold), and nieces and nephews, Ryan Watson (Meagan Watson), Katie Merola (Chase Merola), Alyssa Bishop (Chase Bishop), Erik Maas, and Samantha Parker (Hunter Parker), and was preceded in passing by his mother-in-law, Joan Baker Maas. In addition, he had countless other relatives, friends, and students who were all touched by his humor, warmth, and kindness.
Craig enjoyed many activities in life. Chief among them was simply spending time with his family. He also had a profound passion for all things space exploration – so much so that he could immediately recount the history of space shuttles, kept newspaper clippings from the 1969 Apollo 11 Moon landing, and was known for his annual model rocket launch for White County students during his teaching career. Craig was also an avid sports fan, particularly of the Tennessee Vols, and coached and cheered on his daughters in soccer, tennis, and cheerleading, including donning the occasional “Cheer Dad” shirt. He further enjoyed riding horses (he was a champion horse rider) and spending time outdoors in nature, including camping with family and friends and exploring the beauty of Tennessee State Parks. Finally, Craig was a devout Christian. He served as both a Deacon and Elder at Central Church of Christ, where he also led classes and devotionals for his church community. He walked with Christ throughout his life.
Services to honor and celebrate Craig Hampton Lynn’s life were held at Central Church of Christ located at 45 North Main Street, Sparta, Tennessee 38583. Visitation was held Monday, July 6, from 4 to 7 pm, and the funeral service was held Tuesday, July 7, at 10 am with a morning visitation from 9 to 10 am. Following the funeral service, there was a procession to Oak Lawn Funeral Home, located at 1786 Smithville Highway, Sparta, Tennessee 38583.
Finally, Craig was a transplant recipient. He received a life-saving liver transplant over forty years ago, helping pioneer organ transplantation technology while it was a newly developing field. Craig was one of the longest-living liver transplant recipients in the world. In his honor, his family wishes for donations to be made to the Starzl Network for Excellence for Pediatric Transplantation, available at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/starzlnetwork.
To sign the online guestbook or to send the family a message, please visit www.oaklawnmemorial.com.
