Sam Lewis

Sam Arch Lewis was born on November 2nd, 1942 in Tahlequah, OK the son of William E. and Manna (Arch) Lewis. He attended school at Liberty and Tahlequah. He enlisted in the United States Army during the Vietnam Conflict and served his country from September 22, 1966 until his honorable discharge on September 20, 1968. Sam was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, two Bronze Stars, and the Purple Heart for his actions. On November 3rd, 1972, he married the love of his life, Joyce Bowers at Liberty Chapel near Moodys, OK. Together, they raised six children. Sam was a carpenter employed with the State of Oklahoma. He was a hard working man who never stopped, even his time off was spent in useful pursuits such as raising horses, attending rodeo’s and in his shop working with metal or wood. He loved to go exploring in the great outdoors with his best companions, his wife and children. He enjoyed camping, fishing, hunting and watching wrestling and westerns on T.V. Even though he had suffered multiple strokes and heart attacks in 2000, his optimism for life never faltered. His smile was the brightest when his children or grandchildren walked through his door. He truly loved anytime spent with his family and treasured time spent with them. A Baptist by faith, Sam went home to his Lord and Savior on March 4th, 2011 in Tulsa, Ok with his family at his side. He was sixty eight years old.

Sam is preceded in death by his Mother, Father, Daughter Cassandra Ann Doss in 2002, son Danny Shipp, two adored grandsons, Dustin Mitchell and Devin Cantrell, mother and father in law, Carthal and Christine Wooley, and one sister, Jeanie.

Those left to cherish his memory include his loving wife, Joyce of the home. His children include Tanya Bullington and husband Gary of Ft. Smith, AR, Rossanna Anderson and husband Rusty of Tahlequah, OK, Sam Bowers and wife Keeli of Owasso, OK, Joyce Stisler and husband James of Locust Grove, OK, and Angelia Pasdach and husband John of Claremore, OK. His legacy lives on in his twenty two grandchildren, twenty four great grandchildren, one sister Louise of Tulsa, OK , two brothers, Spud Powell of Ft. Gibson, OK, and Junior Duffield and wife Nancy of Park Hill, OK, as well as many cousins and friends and loved ones.