Homer C. Lewis

Homer Charles Lewis was born 2-28-1919at the residence home - 2026 N. Market in Wichita, KS to William Henry Lewis and Sarah Elizabeth Beadles. He attended schools in Wichita and graduated from North High School in 1936. Upon graduation he went to work at a poultry/feed business for Mr. Barrett earning $10.00 for a 55 to 60 hour work week. In 1938 he married the love of his life, Irene Vivian Downey on February 28, 1938 to receive a raise from his boss in the amount of $2.00 a week for the same amount of hours. In 1939, he and Irene moved to Sands Springs, OK where he was employed at the Safeway store at $17.50 a week but the same hours. Around 1942 Homer, Irene and daughter, Jeanne moved to Henryetta, OK to work with his brother, William (Bill) Lewis Jr. who owned a grocery store named "Sureway Store." During this time the second daughter, Charlene, was born. In June of 1944, Homer was inducted into the Navy and attained the rank of 2nd class radar office. He trained USNTS, Great Lakes, II; NATTC - Gainsville, GA.; AN/MPN -1A Unit #5 (NAS, Attu, Alaska) with an honorable discharge on 1/5/1946 to come home to his family of three girls now - adding Mary. Homer was a life member of the American Legion. Returning to Wichita, Homer opened the Lewis Grocery at Pawnee and Hydraulic and lived at 2438 Lulu with his wife and three daughters. then a move to Ulysses, Kansas in 1954 with his family to own the Lowry Apartments. In 1956 he again returned to Wichita to begin a career with Bud Glassman and Kenny Chapman, founders of Safelite Auto Glass. His career took him from Wichita, to Dallas, TX. to Denver, CO. and finally Phoenix, AZ where he retired in 1981 at the age of 62. Homer is preceeded in death by his parents, William Henry Lewis and Sarah Elizabeth Beadles; Sisters - Enda Augusta Garrison and Beaula Mae Lewis; Brother - William (Bill) Henry Lewis, Jr. His wives: Irene Vivian Downey of 58 1/2 years and Lura Edith Daniels for 24 years, his daughter - Vivian Jeanne Bowen; two sons-n-law's: Ronald Dean Bowen and Frank Eugene Lehman, one - granddaughter in law: Brenda Leigh Harms Marshall. Survivors are: Charlene Marshall, daughter and husband Roger of Beaver, Oklahoma; Mary Lehman of Wichita, Kansas; nine (9) grandchildren, twenty-two (22) great grandchildren, twenty-seven (27) great great grandchildren who all were touched by Homer's gentleness. HIs favorite words were 'thank you." He was truly a "gentle man." Private services are pending.