Ronald Lewis

Ronald Wayne Lewis, 63, Coffeyville resident, died Saturday, December 20, 2008 at St. John Medical Center, Tulsa, Oklahoma. Ron was born May 6, 1945 at Boynton, Oklahoma to John Paul Lewis and Delia Alice Leist Lewis. He moved from Boynton to Tulsa in 1950, and began his education in Tulsa. Halfway through his kindergarten year, Ron moved to Coffeyville, Kansas as his parents took jobs with Continental Can. He attended McKinley, Lowell and Clymore Schools. Ron attended Labette County Community High School where he played football and basketball and ran track. After high school, he was offered a track scholarship at Coffeyville Junior College and also walked on the Red Raven Football team. On August 1, 1965, Ron married his high school sweetheart, Dixie Lee Schell at Altamont, Kansas. Afterwards, Ron enlisted in the US Army during the Vietnam Conflict. He was stationed for a time in El Paso, Texas where he was a part of the Nike Hercules Warhead Air Defense Missile group. Ron was stationed at several locations, eventually winding up in Athens, Greece where he was joined by his bride. After two years in Greece, the couple returned to El Paso and later to Coffeyville in 1968. After his military service, Ron resumed his job with Funk MfgJohn Deere where he was a tool setter. He worked 39 years for the corporation before his retirement. In 1977, the Lewis family moved to the farm in Labette County, where he has been a resident since. Ron enjoyed all sports and played industrial league fastpitch softball for Funk and other teams. He was an avid bowler and golfer and loved to hunt. Ron was big hearted and would do anything for anybody. He was a member of Grace Fellowship and taught Sunday School. Ron was a Mason, a Shriner and a true follower of Red Raven football and LCHS Grizzly sports. He is survived by his wife, Dixie of the home; two daughters, Ronda Rohling and her husband, Jim of rural Mound Valley, Kansas and Amy Gregory and her husband, Kevin of Collinsville, Okahoma; and six grandchildren, Katie, Brice, Jake and David Rohling and Vince and Alexis Gregory. Ron was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Sharon Funk. Funeral service will be held, 10 a.m., Friday, December 26, 2008 at Grace Fellowship Church with Rev. Gerald Morris officiating. The family will have a reception following the service with a committal at 1 p.m., Friday at North Edna Cemetery, Edna, Kansas under the direction of Penwell-Gabel Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel. Friends may call Wednesday, 9am-5pm. The family suggests friends who wish donate to a special scholarship fund in Ron39;s memory at Labette County High School. Donations may be left with the funeral home.