Lawrence J. Lynch III; Television Executive

Lawrence J. Lynch III, a vice president at Orion Pictures and a former executive at Columbia Pictures, has died at his Tarzana home. He was 48.

Lynch died April 1 of lung cancer, said his companion, Kristina Mendez.

Born in Flushing, N.Y., Lynch attended Iowa State University and Queens College in New York. Lynch worked as vice president of programming for Telecom Associates, Blair Television and Colbert Television Sales in New York.

In 1985, he came to California, where he was hired as director of first-run syndication for Columbia Pictures. The following year, he became president of Kelly Entertainment in Burbank, a position he held until 1989.

In January, 1990, Lynch was hired as senior vice president of television sales and distribution at Orion Pictures, where he continued to work until early this year.

Lynch is survived by his sons, Christopher Lynch of New York City and Gregory Lynch of Tarzana; daughter, Susan Lynch of New York City; parents, Lawrence J. Lynch Jr. and Irma Lynch of Flushing, N.Y.; brother, Terrence Lynch of New York City, and sisters, Kathy Davidson of Flushing, Eileen Ramsdale of Littleton, Colo., Susan Pericas of Lynbrook, N.Y., and Mary Cook of Peekskill, N.Y.

A funeral was held Saturday and burial will be in New York. Crawford Mortuary in Northridge handled the arrangements. Donations can be made in Lynch’s name to the American Institute for Cancer Research, 1759 R St. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20069.