Gerald Lewis

Gerald B. Lewis age 75 of Belle Fourche, died Tuesday November 2, 2010 at the Spearfish Regional Hospital, surrounded by his loving family. A memorial service will be held 10:30am Friday November 5th, 2010 at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Belle Fourche, with Rev. Del Neumeister officiating. There will be no visitation. Arrangements are with Funeral Home of the Northern Hills in Belle Fourche. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the First Congregational Church. Gerald Burdette Lewis was born July 12, 1935 in Timber Lake, South Dakota. He was the son of Clifford and Leah (Reide) Lewis. At a young age, Jerry moved to Dupree, SD where he grew up and attended school. In 1956, Jerry was united in marriage to Eileen Miller in Rapid City. To this union were born four children: Jerry Jim, Doug James, Roxie, and Tammie. Following their marriage, Jerry served his country in the U.S. Air Force until 1960. During this time he was stationed in Albany Georgia where he was a Control Tower Operator for the AACS Unit. Following his service, Jerry and Eileen moved to Dupree where Jerry served as a Policeman for several years. In 1969 he began working for the Federal Aviation Administration. During these years he worked in Butte MT, Jamestown ND, Huron SD, and in 1979 he began work in Laramie WY where he was Chief of Flight Service Station. He retired in 1993 and shortly after his retirement Jerry and Eileen moved into their log cabin near Centennial WY, located in the Rainbow Valley Lodge. In 2007 they settled in Belle Fourche. Together Jerry and Eileen enjoyed 54 years of marriage. Jerry had many loves in life. They included fishing and hunting, and also aviation. His biggest love in life was his family. He loved spending time with his wife and children and grandchildren, and he especially loved the holidays throughout the year. Many special times were experienced at the log cabin near Centennial, where Jerry loved to be outdoors experiencing all that nature had to offer. Jerry will be greatly missed by his family; he was a special man and a good man. Jerry is survived by his wife, Eileen of Belle Fourche; sons, Jerry Jim (Sheila) of Anchorage Alaska, Doug James (Carol) of Denver CO; daughters, Roxie (Rob) Taft of Upton WY, Tammie (Dan) Kerby of Palmer Alaska; 6 grandchildren, Michael, Levi, Tory, Katelyn, Donielle, and Danielle; 1 great granddaughter, Lilian; brother, Darvel (Nedra) Lewis of Indiana; and sister, Evelyn (Billy) Capps of Austin TX. He is also survived by his step-parents, Wilma Lewis of Brackettville TX, and Ralph Hancock of Custer SD; and his half brothers and sisters, Ralph, Candy, Cherie, Leah, Cathy, Scott, and Karen. He was preceded in death by his mother and father. DATE OF BIRTH July 12, 1935 Timber Lake, South Dakota DATE OF DEATH November 2, 2010 Spearfish, South Dakota MEMORIAL SERVICE 10:30 A.M. – Friday – November 5th, 2010 First Congregational United Church of Christ Belle Fourche, South Dakota OFFICIANT Rev. Del Neumeister SPECIAL MUSIC Organist – Lanelle Cundall “Beyond The Rainbows End” (Recording) Cong. Hymn – “Amazing Grace”