Obituary of Elbert Lewis

Elbert Jewett Lewis, of Tempe, AZ, died after a brief illness Sunday June 21, 2009, at Hospice of the Valley, Friendship Village, Tempe, AZ. He was 97 years old. Born to David A. and Bernice L. (Jewett) Lewis December 15, 1911, he was the second of six children. He was reared in Miller, SD. He married Ruby Burgher in 1937, served as Hand County Deputy Auditor and farmed until 1943 when he moved his family to Washington State. He settled in Camas where they lived for 50 years. Elbert was a man of service, responding to the outstretched hand in any way he could. He served the Presbyterian church, his life long affiliation, in several capacities. He worked tirelessly on labor union affairs and community service boards. He retired from Crown Zellerbach paper mill in Camas, WA in 1976. He loved doting on his grand and great-grandchildren, fishing, gardening, as well as armchair sports and politics. Elbert exemplified compassion, humor and responsibility. His first priority was always his family. His passing follows those of his wife of 62 years, Ruby, in 1999, brothers: Verl, Leslie and Myron; and sister Gladys Oakland. He is survived by sister Jean Elam of Hyden, Kentucky, daughters: Jan Kennedy, Tempe, AZ; Verla Cowan, Camas, WA; Maria and husband Steven, Portland, OR; and son, Mike, Vancouver, WA. He was known as Papa Lewie, Bop and Grandpa to 7 grandchildren: Kim Iversen-Hedels (Erik), Oslo, Norway; Patrick (Jauna) Cowan, Vancouver, WA; Kristen (Stan) Morin, Brush Prairie, WA; Asher and Ezra Sandberg-Lewis, Portland, OR; Stephanie Lewis, Diamondhead, MS; Danielle (Jamie) Mosier, Battle Ground, WA.; and 8 great grandchildren. Memorial services will be held Saturday, July 11 at 10:00 am. Brown's Funeral Home, Camas, WA . The family suggests memorial donations be directed to Hospice of the Valley, Phoenix, AZ. Brown's Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Camas has been entrusted with arrangements.