Gary Lewis, age 84, of Modale, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021, at Community Memorial Hospital in Missouri Valley. Gary was born Nov. 7, 1937, in Mondamin, to Marion F. and Bernita E. (Wallis) Lewis. Gary attended school in Modale where he graduated in 1956. He drove a school bus his junior and senior years and was scorekeeper for girls’ and boys’ basketball in his junior and senior year. He enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1958, where he was a crew chief on a C-124 cargo plane stationed at Clarks AFB in the Philippines. He was Honorably discharged in 1962. He started farming for Grandpa Lewis and others until 1973, and rented a farm until August of 2020 due to health issues, then became a resident at Longview Nursing Home in Missouri Valley. He enjoyed car races attending Omaha, Harlan, Denison and Knoxville. He also enjoyed putting together model cars and airplanes. He was a member of the Mondamin Church of Christ where he taught a Sunday school class and was a deacon and an elder. Gary served on the Clay Township Trustee Board, being a third-generation member. He belonged to the American Legion Post 695 in Modale.
Preceded in death by his parents, Marion and Bernita (Wallis) Lewis; infant sister, Helen; brother, William (Bill); his first wife, Patricia; grandparents, Oscar and Bessie (Johnson) Lewis, and Walter and Frances (Gee) Wallis; nephew, Estal Bryon Lewis; and brother-in-law Forrest Hulsebus.
He is survived by sister, Harriet Gummus and husband Richard of Bend, Ore.; brother, James Lewis and wife Penny of Mondamin; and sister, Arlene Hulsebus of Mondamin; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Graveside Service was Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021, at Noyes Cemetery in Mondamin with Tom Lewis officiating. Military Honors will be conducted by Offutt Air Force Base, Omaha, Nebraska. Family would like memorials to be directed to the Mondamin Fire and Rescue. The casket bearers were Colleen Winey, Mariah Schroder, Tessa Killpack, Rebecca Bierbrodt, Robert Lewis, Thomas Lewis, Eric Lewis, Mathew Lewis, and Brady Lewis.
Arrangements by Hennessey Funeral Home in Missouri Valley. www.hennesseyonline.com
