Kerry L. Lewis was born at home in East St. Louis, IL, 8 Jun 1940, and baptized into the family of Christ in the Lutheran faith. He returned to be with his Heavenly Father on 15 Mar 2015. There will be a Celebration of Life for those who knew him on 25 Apr 2015, at the Pontiac-Price Place Volunteer Fire Department, 3-5pm. Dinner provided by the fire department at 5pm and music by anyone who enjoys playing, at Just Jackie’s at Pontiac Marina after dinner.
At a young age his family was forced to move to a warmer, drier, climate because of his failing health. Most kids were exploring life and pushing boundaries; Kerry’s mother cosigned a $165 loan for a 1956 Les Paul guitar and amplifier so he could focus on learning scales and playing runs. Later, a local doctor took an x-ray and found an obstruction which cost him a third of a lung at the age of 17, but determined the reason he was held back for so long. While many would consider this time a tragic loss, Kerry took advantage of the chance to learn to play guitar.
After high school he had the opportunity to help care for his young cousin, the son of Grady and Victoria King, of the Grady King Orchestra. He moved to Sulpher Springs, TX, and worked at a local bank while caring for his cousin Kent, at night. During this time he continued to develop his musical talent and realized his skill in electronics would do much better than just banking. He moved to Oklahoma to obtain training and returned with his A&P license, working for American Airlines in the DFW area for 32 years. Electronic principals drove him to learning to operate and achieve his ham radio license, tweaking CB radios, installing satellite dishes, and learning to play any and all stringed instruments. His love of music brought him to play with, and eventually lead, several different successful bands in the community. He also made the time to belong to the Masonic Lodge.
His mother and father convinced him to vacation in the Ozark Mountain region and knew they had him hook-line-and-sinker when he bought his first piece of property in the late 1970’s. Each visit brought him closer to the people and customs of the area, especially the music of playing steel guitar. His skills earned him a regular sit-in with locally known band leader Larry Wallace, and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play on-stage in Branson with Box Car Willie. Each trip north he brought an acoustic, electric, and steel guitar, just in case he would have the opportunity to sit in with a band. He often got that chance.
Once he retired from American Airlines as Lead Electronics Crew Member, he moved to Price Place in 2004. In between piddling with neighbors’ electronic equipment, he joined the Pontiac-Price Place Volunteer Fire Department to assist with his community. He was voted to the Board of the Fire Department on several occasions.
Kerry was preceded in death by his mother Janice M. Lewis, father Frank C. Lewis, brother, Gene C. Lewis, and his beloved Blue. He is survived by his sister Carol K. Jones (Ernie) of Price Place, AR; Alice Y. Anderson and Wendy M. Kossakoski (Rick) both of Troy IL; fifteen nieces and nephews; and his loving rescue dogs Bear, Bridgette, Babe, Mamma, and Rocket.
Donations in memorial may be made to the Pontiac-Price Place Volunteer Fire Department, Ozarkdogs Rescue of Mountain Home, AR, or Humane Society of North, Central Arkansas. Arrangements are by Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Gainesville, MO.
At a young age his family was forced to move to a warmer, drier, climate because of his failing health. Most kids were exploring life and pushing boundaries; Kerry’s mother cosigned a $165 loan for a 1956 Les Paul guitar and amplifier so he could focus on learning scales and playing runs. Later, a local doctor took an x-ray and found an obstruction which cost him a third of a lung at the age of 17, but determined the reason he was held back for so long. While many would consider this time a tragic loss, Kerry took advantage of the chance to learn to play guitar.
After high school he had the opportunity to help care for his young cousin, the son of Grady and Victoria King, of the Grady King Orchestra. He moved to Sulpher Springs, TX, and worked at a local bank while caring for his cousin Kent, at night. During this time he continued to develop his musical talent and realized his skill in electronics would do much better than just banking. He moved to Oklahoma to obtain training and returned with his A&P license, working for American Airlines in the DFW area for 32 years. Electronic principals drove him to learning to operate and achieve his ham radio license, tweaking CB radios, installing satellite dishes, and learning to play any and all stringed instruments. His love of music brought him to play with, and eventually lead, several different successful bands in the community. He also made the time to belong to the Masonic Lodge.
His mother and father convinced him to vacation in the Ozark Mountain region and knew they had him hook-line-and-sinker when he bought his first piece of property in the late 1970’s. Each visit brought him closer to the people and customs of the area, especially the music of playing steel guitar. His skills earned him a regular sit-in with locally known band leader Larry Wallace, and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play on-stage in Branson with Box Car Willie. Each trip north he brought an acoustic, electric, and steel guitar, just in case he would have the opportunity to sit in with a band. He often got that chance.
Once he retired from American Airlines as Lead Electronics Crew Member, he moved to Price Place in 2004. In between piddling with neighbors’ electronic equipment, he joined the Pontiac-Price Place Volunteer Fire Department to assist with his community. He was voted to the Board of the Fire Department on several occasions.
Kerry was preceded in death by his mother Janice M. Lewis, father Frank C. Lewis, brother, Gene C. Lewis, and his beloved Blue. He is survived by his sister Carol K. Jones (Ernie) of Price Place, AR; Alice Y. Anderson and Wendy M. Kossakoski (Rick) both of Troy IL; fifteen nieces and nephews; and his loving rescue dogs Bear, Bridgette, Babe, Mamma, and Rocket.
Donations in memorial may be made to the Pontiac-Price Place Volunteer Fire Department, Ozarkdogs Rescue of Mountain Home, AR, or Humane Society of North, Central Arkansas. Arrangements are by Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Gainesville, MO.
Kerry L. Lewis was born at home in East St. Louis, IL, 8 Jun 1940, and baptized into the family of Christ in the Lutheran faith. He returned to be with his Heavenly Father on 15 Mar 2015. There will be a Celebration of Life for those who knew him on 25 Apr 2015, at the Pontiac-Price Place Volunteer Fire Department, 3-5pm. Dinner provided by the fire department at 5pm and music by anyone who enjoys playing, at Just Jackie’s at Pontiac Marina after dinner.
At a young age his family was forced to move to a warmer, drier, climate because of his failing health. Most kids were exploring life and pushing boundaries; Kerry’s mother cosigned a $165 loan for a 1956 Les Paul guitar and amplifier so he could focus on learning scales and playing runs. Later, a local doctor took an x-ray and found an obstruction which cost him a third of a lung at the age of 17, but determined the reason he was held back for so long. While many would consider this time a tragic loss, Kerry took advantage of the chance to learn to play guitar.
After high school he had the opportunity to help care for his young cousin, the son of Grady and Victoria King, of the Grady King Orchestra. He moved to Sulpher Springs, TX, and worked at a local bank while caring for his cousin Kent, at night. During this time he continued to develop his musical talent and realized his skill in electronics would do much better than just banking. He moved to Oklahoma to obtain training and returned with his A&P license, working for American Airlines in the DFW area for 32 years. Electronic principals drove him to learning to operate and achieve his ham radio license, tweaking CB radios, installing satellite dishes, and learning to play any and all stringed instruments. His love of music brought him to play with, and eventually lead, several different successful bands in the community. He also made the time to belong to the Masonic Lodge.
His mother and father convinced him to vacation in the Ozark Mountain region and knew they had him hook-line-and-sinker when he bought his first piece of property in the late 1970’s. Each visit brought him closer to the people and customs of the area, especially the music of playing steel guitar. His skills earned him a regular sit-in with locally known band leader Larry Wallace, and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play on-stage in Branson with Box Car Willie. Each trip north he brought an acoustic, electric, and steel guitar, just in case he would have the opportunity to sit in with a band. He often got that chance.
Once he retired from American Airlines as Lead Electronics Crew Member, he moved to Price Place in 2004. In between piddling with neighbors’ electronic equipment, he joined the Pontiac-Price Place Volunteer Fire Department to assist with his community. He was voted to the Board of the Fire Department on several occasions.
Kerry was preceded in death by his mother Janice M. Lewis, father Frank C. Lewis, brother, Gene C. Lewis, and his beloved Blue. He is survived by his sister Carol K. Jones (Ernie) of Price Place, AR; Alice Y. Anderson and Wendy M. Kossakoski (Rick) both of Troy IL; fifteen nieces and nephews; and his loving rescue dogs Bear, Bridgette, Babe, Mamma, and Rocket.
Donations in memorial may be made to the Pontiac-Price Place Volunteer Fire Department, Ozarkdogs Rescue of Mountain Home, AR, or Humane Society of North, Central Arkansas. Arrangements are by Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Gainesville, MO.
At a young age his family was forced to move to a warmer, drier, climate because of his failing health. Most kids were exploring life and pushing boundaries; Kerry’s mother cosigned a $165 loan for a 1956 Les Paul guitar and amplifier so he could focus on learning scales and playing runs. Later, a local doctor took an x-ray and found an obstruction which cost him a third of a lung at the age of 17, but determined the reason he was held back for so long. While many would consider this time a tragic loss, Kerry took advantage of the chance to learn to play guitar.
After high school he had the opportunity to help care for his young cousin, the son of Grady and Victoria King, of the Grady King Orchestra. He moved to Sulpher Springs, TX, and worked at a local bank while caring for his cousin Kent, at night. During this time he continued to develop his musical talent and realized his skill in electronics would do much better than just banking. He moved to Oklahoma to obtain training and returned with his A&P license, working for American Airlines in the DFW area for 32 years. Electronic principals drove him to learning to operate and achieve his ham radio license, tweaking CB radios, installing satellite dishes, and learning to play any and all stringed instruments. His love of music brought him to play with, and eventually lead, several different successful bands in the community. He also made the time to belong to the Masonic Lodge.
His mother and father convinced him to vacation in the Ozark Mountain region and knew they had him hook-line-and-sinker when he bought his first piece of property in the late 1970’s. Each visit brought him closer to the people and customs of the area, especially the music of playing steel guitar. His skills earned him a regular sit-in with locally known band leader Larry Wallace, and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play on-stage in Branson with Box Car Willie. Each trip north he brought an acoustic, electric, and steel guitar, just in case he would have the opportunity to sit in with a band. He often got that chance.
Once he retired from American Airlines as Lead Electronics Crew Member, he moved to Price Place in 2004. In between piddling with neighbors’ electronic equipment, he joined the Pontiac-Price Place Volunteer Fire Department to assist with his community. He was voted to the Board of the Fire Department on several occasions.
Kerry was preceded in death by his mother Janice M. Lewis, father Frank C. Lewis, brother, Gene C. Lewis, and his beloved Blue. He is survived by his sister Carol K. Jones (Ernie) of Price Place, AR; Alice Y. Anderson and Wendy M. Kossakoski (Rick) both of Troy IL; fifteen nieces and nephews; and his loving rescue dogs Bear, Bridgette, Babe, Mamma, and Rocket.
Donations in memorial may be made to the Pontiac-Price Place Volunteer Fire Department, Ozarkdogs Rescue of Mountain Home, AR, or Humane Society of North, Central Arkansas. Arrangements are by Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Gainesville, MO.
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