James W. Jimmy Lewis

James W. (Jimmy) Lewis, 84, Johnson City, passed away Wednesday, August 8, 2007. He was 84 years old. He was a native of Erwin and son of the late James William and Leatha Lewis. After his discharge from the Army Air Forces in 1946 he was employed for a number of years by the Veterans Administration at Mountain Home. While there he became Commander of American Legion Post 156. Mr. Lewis transferred to Washington, DC where he retired from the General Services Administration in 1972. Since returning to Johnson City he has been a member of American Legion Post 0025 in Erwin. He is also a member of the Johnson City Elks Club 825. While in semi-retirement Mr. Lewis worked at Wrights Grocery in the advertising department. He became an active member at Tacoma Church of God, which gave him the opportunity to make use of his talent in recording music. He developed an extensive Gospel and Jazz collection, which he was able to share with many friends. Jimmy developed many special relationships through the years none more so than with his in-laws and the entire Wright family. He is survived by his wife of 59 years Wanda Wright Lewis. Survivors also include one daughter Kathryn Lewis- Salem, her husband Abdelmonem Salem and one grandson James Salem, all of Colorado Springs, Colorado. Other surviving family members include: three sisters, Pauline Riddle, of Kingsport, Jeanne Love, of Erwin and Hazel McGaha, of High Point, North Carolina; one brother, Carroll Lewis, of Amarillo, Texas; several nieces and nephews; one special cousin, Eloise Hartman, of Johnson City. The graveside service for James W. (Jimmy) Lewis will be conducted at 10:00 AM Monday, August 13, 2007 in the Mountain Home National Cemetery. Chaplin Thomas Mills will officiate. Active pallbearers will be nephews, Richard Lewis, Kenneth Riddle, John Love, Keith Love, Tim Love and son-in-law Abdelmonem Salem. Everyone is asked to meet at the funeral home at 9:30 AM to go in procession to the cemetery. The family will receive friends in the funeral chapel Sunday, August 12, 2007 from 6 to 8 PM.