GARY EDWIN LEWIS

Mr. Gary Edwin Lewis, devoted husband and father transitioned from labor to reward on Thursday, May 21, 2020, at the age of 78.  He was born in Canton, Ohio, on November 13, 1941, to the union of Arnold Sr. and Rosa Lee (nee Calloway) Lewis.

Gary was a proud graduate and lifelong supporter of McKinley High School students and athletics.  After high school he enlisted in the United States Navy, where he served his country faithful and with honor, during the Vietnam War.   Gary was very proud of his military service and the fact that he and his brother were the fourth generation of Lewis men to serve and protect our country.  Upon being honorably discharged from the Navy, he spent several years living and working in Oakland, CA before making his way back to Canton, OH to be closer to family.  Back in Canton to stay, he took a job at US Steel briefly, but eventually found his career with Conrail where he worked for over 30 years.  Gary had an amazing work ethic and a sense of responsibility that he passed on to his children and instilled in his grandchildren, especially the boys.  He was known for telling them, “You have to work”.  And he rarely missed a day of work himself, sometimes working 10 hours days, seven days a week.  But when Gary was not at work he enjoyed traveling.  As a member of Hiram Abiff #72 F & AM – Prince Hall Masonic Lodge, he served in many stations, including Worshipful Master, Deputy Grand Lecturer, and Commander in Chief.  Gary was a true Ohio guy, and spent most Saturdays and Sundays cheering on The Ohio State Buckeyes and the Cleveland Browns.

Gary was preceded in death by his wife, Gaynell, his mother Rosa Lee (nee Calloway) Washington, father Arnold Sr. (Mildred) Lewis, and sister Mattie (McKinley) McPherson.  He leaves to cherish his memory, his children, Jacqueline (Arch) Bell of Canton, Ohio, Tracey Ruffin of Bluffton, South Carolina, Gayle (Robert) Bryant of Canton, Ohio, and Sheldon Lewis of Lansing, Michigan, and his big brother Arnold Lewis Jr. of Canton, Ohio.  He also leaves many grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren to carry on his legacy, along with many other relatives and friends.  During his life Gary touched so many people that he will be missed, celebrated, commemorated, emulated, imitated, but he can never be replicated because he was an original.  Unfortunately for this world, they don’t make men like Gary Edwin Lewis - he was as authentic as they come!

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