Col. (Ret.) Robert Lynn McMahon

Col. Robert “Lynn” McMahon, USA (Ret.), 83, entered into rest on Thursday, September 10, 2026, at his home in Appling, GA.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 59 years, Jayne (Thompson) McMahon; daughters, Kate Patton (Michael), Maggie Herrmann (Chris), and Jenny Blanchard (Scott); grandchildren, Mitchell, Nora, and Maddie Patton, Abby Ingram (Michael), Allison Teel (Briar), Gretchen Herrmann, and Emily, Vivienne and Elodie Blanchard; brother, James Vance McMahon; and sister, Christie McMahon (Jerry Isikoff).

Along with his parents, Lynn is preceded in death by his sister-in-law, PK McMahon.

Lynn was born to the late Samuel Robert and Jane (Paisley) McMahon on March 11, 1943, in Wheeling, West Virginia, but grew up in Speedway, Indiana where he learned the Midwestern values that helped shape his character and stayed with him throughout his life. As a young man, he tackled the world of newspaper delivery as well as being (along with his brother, Jim) the number one floor sweeper at Zink’s market on Main Street. Not one to turn down a dessert, Lynn also spent a summer cleaning the parking lot of Swingle’s in exchange for a daily ice cream cone.

His high school years proved formative as he met his future bride there and also helped lead the Sparkplugs on the football field. After graduating from Speedway High School, Lynn attended Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, VA. where he excelled as a cadet serving as the Commander of the VMI Color Guard, and President of the Glee Club.

After graduating from the Institute, he began a storied career in the U.S. Air Force where he served the country for 22 years. As a fighter pilot, he completed two tours in Vietnam and was highly decorated, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross with two Oak Leaf clusters, the Meritorious Service Medal with two Oak Leaf clusters, and the Air Medal with 23 Oak Leaf clusters among others.

After returning to the States, he was selected to be part of an elite team of four pilots appointed and qualified to instruct the next classes that would fly the history-changing F-15 Fighter jet. His next stop was a several year stint at the Pentagon. Then he went on to command squadrons in Alaska during the Cold War. His leadership skills were evident as they even let a Fighter Jock command a Civil Engineering squadron!

After his Air Force retirement, Lynn became a successful independent business owner, growing his franchise from one territory to four, mentoring countless colleagues and recruiting numerous franchisees.

Lynn will always be remembered for his love of gummi bears (but not peanut butter cookies!) his love of cool cars, fast jets, waverunners and the lake life; his love of the works of Frank Lloyd Wright and Andrew Lloyd Webber; a good dog, a good bargain, and a good fragrance; Rush Limbaugh, Fox News, and The Simpsons (doh!); Indy Race Day surrounded by family or any day with family.

But most importantly, Lynn would tell you that throughout his life he was guided and sustained by his faith and love of the Lord. He truly reflected the “fruit of the Spirit,” most notably, love, joy, patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. This is how we will remember him.

"Well done, my good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25:23).

A funeral ceremony for Robert will be conducted at 3:00pm on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at Kiokee Baptist Church, 2520 Ray Owens Road, Appling, GA 30802, with Pastor Steve Hartman officiating. The family will receive friends from 1:00pm until service time. Burial services are to be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

Arrangements were entrusted to Platt's Funeral Home, 337 N. Belair Road, Evans, GA 30809, (706) 860-6166. Please take a moment to share your condolences by signing the online guestbook at plattsfuneralhome.com.