On October 13, 2022, Stanley V. Lewis, Jr. passed away peacefully in the presence of our Lord.
Stan was born in Marin County, California near the end of the Great Depression. He was three years old
when Pearl Harbor was hit with a surprise attack forever changing our world as we entered World War ll.
"Like many American families in 1941, Stan's family was thrust into learning to cope with a markedly
adjusted way of life: food shortages, rationing, the draft, blackouts, and overwork. In the confusion of a
suddenly altered way of life, his family had its own problems with the disruption in their lives, with
themselves, and with one another." (taken from the published works of Stan's sister, Dale. A memoir to her brothers called, "The Anxious Years.")These formative years coinciding with his family and WWll, perhaps patterned how Stan would live his life.
At 6'0 with bright red hair, Stan's individualized attire resembled the generation growing up during the
50's, yet with his own spin. With pens in a pocket protector always front and center on his shirt, he
occasionally sharpened his look with western wear or his ready for fishing hats with a variety of hook decor.
Stan's personality was lively and he sometimes had an untypical way of doing things but he could be
adventurous and fun. His gifts and talent created acknowledgements and all things Stan combined, gained the attention of those around him.
During the Vietnam era, Stan entered the army. He was sent to the U.S. Naval school of music in
Washington DC. It was there he sharpened his music skills with a focus on clarinet. He also acquired a
Bachelor's degree in music at San Francisco State college. Besides clarinet, Stan knew how to play sax,
flute, oboe and piano. He played in many bands and various venues over the years. After his DC
assignment, he traded on an opportunity to go to Southern France and chose Colorado instead. He joined a choir at a Presbyterian church where he met Carole who became his wife. Stan and Carole later moved to Spokane where he resided the remaining years of his life. In his early married years, they, with other couples, spent weekend evenings square dancing.
Over the years, he worked in sales and remodeled homes. With a severe back injury, he retired early leaving him opportunity to volunteer in the community and church. He delivered flowers, served in kitchens and played music.
A family of four, Stan was adventurous and kept his family busy with church activities, fishing, camping,
picnics, barbeques, entertaining, and road trips. The station wagon journeys started with steady trips to
either California or the midwest to see family, and later vacations in the Pacific Northwest region including
Canada. Whidbey Island, Cannon Beach and Calgary considerably memorable. His adventurous spirit
may have been introduced by his father and their family road trips. Before marrying and having kids, he
spoke often about a favorite road trip he took with his brother and friend in his new "dream come true
vehicle," a 1954 Ford half ton truck to the Grand Canyon.
One of Stan's passion in life was also a devotion. Music. His other passion was fishing. There were early
ventures with his dad, and several trips with his brother. Stan's brother was always his brother AND friend. That was a great blessing. Over the years, he also shared his love of fishing with the rest of his family and many friends. The number of lakes he fished in makes for a nice narrative.
Other likes, hobbies and skills included woodworking, gardening, and automobile enthusiast. Less obvious to all, were moments he liked to design. One interesting artistry included food design, known in the industry as food stylist! But mainly, music was his devotion in life.
“Music… will help dissolve your perplexities and purify your character and sensibilities, and in time of care
and sorrow, will keep a fountain of joy alive in you.” - Dietrich Bonhoeffer
At age 24, Stan accepted Jesus as his savior. It would take the rest of his life to embrace the meaning of how to live his faith. Toward the end, a reveal seemed evident that he gained an understanding and an
awakening of his faith.
"I believe I am growing in my faith with God, His Son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. With my faith, I will soon
be in heaven with Jesus. These happenings are all about God's grace, love and Jesus blood on the cross and my openness to understand what is in my heart. In one word, love." ~ Stan, 2021
Homecoming! A Celebration!
With no more sorrow and no more pain, we can take comfort that he is now living the full potential God
created him to be in the most beautiful paradise created. Imagine him a lifetime of enjoying music and
fishing with his Savior and friend; all the new friends he is making; all old friends reconnected; all
who embrace him because of God's love and grace and because he is righteous in the eyes of the Lord. Stan is happy and at peace. In the spirit of his enjoyment, his last words to those of us left on earth may very well be, "Gone Fishing."
Stan was predeceased by daughter, Keelie; parents Stanley, Sr. and Velma; sister, Dale; and niece Cathy.
He is survived by former wife, Carole; daughter, Sheri; brother Roy and his wife Melissa; grandchildren,
Kailen, Nate and Mikayla; niece and nephews and their spouses and children; others and friends.
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