Gerald "Jerry" E. Lewis

Gerald (Jerry) Lewis, passed away on January 13, 2023.  Jerry was born to Tony E and Elva (Syphers) Lewis on September 12, 1933, in Fresno California.  Jerry attended and graduated from Walla Walla Academy with the Class of 1952. 

After graduating he joined the Army, as a draftee, and served honorably from 1953 until 1973.  He underwent basic training at Camp Roberts, California after which he was shipped directly to Korea serving with the 3rd Infantry Division.  Answering an opportunity to undergo training in the Military Intelligence field, Jerry served three (3) years in Africa, during the Berlin Crisis, and four (4) years in Washington DC, during the Cuban Crisis. He later served in Vietnam for three (3) full tours earning the Bronze Star.  Jerry took retirement at Fort Ord, California as a Sergeant First Class. 

Jerry was married to Patricia Carol (Wilson) Lewis of Carmel, California from 1958 to 1973 when they divorced.  From this marriage their daughter was born, Alison Denise Lewis. He later met and married his life mate and best friend Zola Bell (Partin) Lewis in Grants Pass, Oregon in May of 1999.

Jerry was a member of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Grants Pass Oregon where he served as a Deacon for many years, in addition to assisting in the Television Ministry for the church and in the Prison Ministry.  He had a servant’s heart, always willing to respond to the needs of and willing to help others. Jerry loved to play the piano and organ.  He & Zola enjoyed family campouts, taking trips out to the coast and up to the mountains.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and his beloved wife Zola, his brother Delbert and sister Joyce, her husband Ken & their daughter Rhonda.  He is survived by his half-sister Pearlene, his daughter Alison (Russ) Abernathy of Monterey California, his grandson Jason (Kathleen) Shepherd of Portland Oregon, and their children Liam Cora & Flynn, his (bonus son) stepson Melvin Partin, numerous Nieces and Nephews, Grand, Great-Grand and Great-Great Children.

A celebration of life and potluck service will be held on Friday, June 09, 2023, in Lakeview, Oregon at 11:00 am.

Jerry was enthusiastic in his work with the Grants Pass Seventh-Day Adventist Church TV station.  In lieu of flowers, it is suggested that donations in his memory be directed to KBLN at PO Box 766, Grants Pass, OR  97528.

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