Jim Karsatos’ wife, Susan Lynch, fought cancer with strength and grace before her passing in 2019.
Highlights
- Jim Karsatos and his ex-wife, Susan Lynch, had three sons together before divorcing; Susan later remarried Bret Hosket.
- Susan was a successful sales director and former record-holding collegiate swimmer, earning multiple professional accolades.
- Susan was deeply involved in community service and cancer support before passing away from breast cancer in 2019 at the age of 50.
Jim Karsatos, the former Ohio State quarterback who led the Buckeyes in the mid-1980s, died at the age of 61.
His body was discovered in his San Diego apartment by his friend and former OSU roommate Velemir “Willy” Cicin.
Karsatos had heart issues, and the medical examiner determined he died of natural causes.
Karsatos played for Ohio State from 1983 to 1986. He served as backup to Mike Tomczak for his first two seasons.
He became the starter in 1985 and led the Buckeyes to a 9-3 record under coach Earle Bruce.
That season included a memorable 22-13 upset of No. 1 Iowa. Karsatos threw for 2,115 yards with 19 touchdown passes that year.
In 1986, as one of the team’s two captains, he threw for 1,927 yards and 13 touchdowns in another 9-3 season.
The Buckeyes shared the Big Ten championship with Michigan and defeated Texas A&M in the Cotton Bowl.
The Miami Dolphins drafted Karsatos in the 12th round of the 1987 NFL draft.
He spent two years with Miami as a backup to Hall of Famer Dan Marino but never took a snap in a regular-season game.
After his playing career, Karsatos became a financial advisor in Columbus.
For many years, he worked as a radio analyst for Ohio State football games.
Jim Lachey, former Ohio State offensive lineman and current radio analyst, said,
“I always enjoyed playing and working with Jim. We were teammates at OSU and worked together on the radio network. He was a friend who was fun to work with, especially during the 2002 national championship season.”
Dispatch
Born in Fullerton, California, Karsatos had been living in San Diego since 2022.
Bob Maggs, who was Karsatos’ center at OSU, remembered him fondly:
“He was a great guy. He would lighten moments. His temperament was perfect for what we did. He was such a good guy on and off the field.”
Dispatch
Cicin said Karsatos made friends quickly in his San Diego neighborhood. He said,
“He was Mr. Personality, ‘Big Jim the football player. He was loved by all of us out here. It’s heartbreaking.”
Dispatch
Karsatos and his friends often watched Ohio State games together, even flying an OSU flag.
Cicin noted that Karsatos was “super excited” watching the Buckeyes’ national championship victory over Notre Dame on January 20.
A public celebration of life honoring Karsatos was held at Park Street Tavern in Columbus, with attendees wearing OSU clothing. Karsatos’ sister Kelly organized a memorial in Fullerton.
Karsatos still stands 13th on Ohio State’s career passing yardage list with 5,089 yards.
He had 36 touchdown passes in his OSU career. During John Cooper’s tenure as the OSU coach, Karsatos provided support behind the scenes for the embattled coach, saying,
“I don’t care what other people think about him. That man is a friend of mine.”
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Jim Karsatos’ Wife, Susan Lynch, Passed Away from Breast Cancer
Jim Karsatos was previously married to Susan Lynch. The couple had three sons together: Nicholas, Christopher (C.J.), and Daniel Karsatos.
Susan Helen Lynch later remarried and became Susan Helen Lynch Hosket. She married Bret Hosket, whom she had known since high school.
Susan and Bret both graduated from Upper Arlington High School in 1987.
Susan was born on April 13, 1969. During her high school years, she was on the varsity swim team.
She later attended Ashland University, where she continued her swimming career and joined the Alpha Phi Sorority.
For several years, she held the school swimming records for the women’s 500, 1000, and 1650 freestyle events.
Professionally, Susan served as the sales director for the Memorial Tournament.
She loved her job and the colleagues and clients she worked with.
Previously, she worked as an account executive at WBNS Radio and as National Sales Director for Clear Channel Communications.
Her professional excellence earned her the Distinguished Sales Award from the Columbus Sales Executive Club twice.
Susan was also committed to community service. She served as a past board member for Susan G. Komen Columbus.
She helped many others facing cancer, offering advice and support during their difficult journeys.
Tragically, Susan passed away from breast cancer on May 22, 2019, at the age of 50.
Throughout her illness, she showed remarkable determination and grace that inspired everyone who knew her.
Her great smile, sense of humor, and straightforward style made her a friend to many.
She touched countless lives and is deeply missed by family and friends alike.
In addition to her husband and three sons, Susan was survived by her parents, Jim and Hope Lynch, her brother, and many extended family members.
Additional Information
- During his time at Ohio State, Jim Karsatos was coached by Jim Tressel, who served as one of his assistant coaches before later becoming a head coach himself.
- After an 0-2 start in the 1986 season (with losses to Alabama and Washington), Karsatos helped lead the Buckeyes to nine consecutive victories, putting them in position to compete for a Rose Bowl berth.
- In the 1985 season, Karsatos set an Ohio State single-season record by completing 61 percent of his passes (177 of 289), and his 2,311 passing yards that year marked only the second 2,000-yard season in OSU history at that time.
