James Lewis

James Lewis (Jim) was born on November 13, 1943 in Washington, DC to Lyle Lewis and Bertha Lewis (née Cook). He was the only son and third of four children. The family lived in Brentwood, Maryland when he and his older sisters Eva and Janet were born. They then moved to a farm in Pleasantdale, West Virginia and his younger sister Martha was born. When Jim was 9 years old, they moved to Mitchellville, Maryland and continued to have a small farm. On the family farm he raised goats, chicken and ducks and worked in the garden alongside his father. He graduated from Bladensburg High School.

Jim served in the U.S. Army from 1964 to 1970 (active and reserve). Some of that time was spent in Stuttgart, Germany as a photo technician. When he returned home after his service, he took advantage of the G.I. Bill and completed his associates degree in business at Prince George’s Community College. He lived in a studio apartment in Hyattsville, Maryland. He had a gray Volkswagen Beetle that he loved and drove for many years, eventually passing it along to his sister Martha as her first car.

In 1985, Jim met the love of his life, Linda and they were married on April 25, 1987. They purchased a home in Odenton and lived there happily together. He worked as a warehouse supervisor of special projects for Goldwell. He served on the board of Opportunity Builders, Inc, an organization supporting disabled youth and adults. This was a cause near and dear to his heart because his sister Eva had cerebral palsy. He helped Linda behind the scenes quietly supporting her volunteer work at Ark & Dove Presbyterian Church. He was close to his niece Christine and he and Linda filled the role as surrogate grandparents to her four children.

Jim loved to be outdoors in nature. Even at 80 years old, he was still outside doing yard work and walking every morning 2 ½-3 miles rain or shine. He enjoyed listening to recordings of old-time radio shows from his youth. He loved to watch the Washington Redskins up until he “fired” them for a period of time due to unethical behavior of the team ownership. He was a man of his convictions. He once again enjoyed watching the team doing well under new management this last season before his passing.

Jim was preceded in death by his father, Lyle Lewis; mother, Bertha Lewis (née Cook); sisters, Eva and Janet.

Jim is survived by his wife, Linda Lewis (née Wilt); sister, Martha Haas; nieces and nephews, Christine Connally (and her children; RJ, Christian, Olivia and Colin Connally), Tim Gray (Barbara), Dan Gray (and his children; Thomas Gray and Deanna Lincavage), Elias Langas, Fred Arnold and Tara Gray.

A visitation at Ark & Dove Presbyterian Church for family and friends for James will be held Friday, November 22, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 10:45 AM, 8424 Piney Orchard Pkwy, Odenton, MD 21113.

His funeral service at Ark & Dove Presbyterian Church for family and friends will occur Friday, November 22, 2024 at 11:00 AM, 8424 Piney Orchard Pkwy, Odenton, MD 21113.

The Funeral service will be live streamed from the Ark & Dove Church site, the link is below;

https://www.youtube.com/live/80ehOdcgOPE?si=oYlkUkN4UgTFNJFo&sfnsn=mo

The graveside service and military honors will follow in Crownsville Veteran Cemetery on Friday, November 22, 2024 at 1:00 PM, 1122 Sunrise Beach Rd, Crownsville, MD 21032.