Judge Charles J. Lewis Obit

LEWIS

Posted By: Lora Stull (email)
Date: 2/8/2019 at 12:01:05

Source: Mount Ayr Record News, January 11, 1973 Edition.
Charles J. Lewis, a resident of Ringgold County for 69 years, departed this life January 2, 1973 at the age of 95 years in the Clearview Home in Mount Ayr, after suffering a stroke on the preceding Saturday. He had been a resident of the home since March of 1963. A son of Clinton J. and Addie Lewis, he was born January 13, 1877, on a farm, one and a half miles north of Lenox, in Taylor County Iowa. In 1888, the Lewis family moved to Redding in Ringgold County. Following his graduation from the Drake University Law school in Des Moines, IA., in 1905, he entered the practice of law in Mount Ayr. He joined members of his family who had moved in 1904 to Mount Ayr, where his father engaged in the real estate business. In 1912, his brother Frank, joined him in establishing the law firm of Lewis & Lewis. Following forty years devoted to the practice of law. Mr. Lewis was elected in 1945 as a district court judge of Iowa's Third Judicial District. He served capably and conscientiously in that capacity for 20 years prior to his retirement on July 1, 1965. A community minded citizen, Mr. Lewis was loved and respected by the young and old a like. In 1962 he donated $10,000 toward the purchase of a site for a swimming pool and park which bears his name. Seven years later, he contributed a like amount toward the establishment of a municipal airport, which was named in his honor. Mr. Lewis never married and at the time of his death there were no immediate survivors, except a niece, Mrs. Charles Frederick of Washington, D.C. and a legion of friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Frank; a sister Florence Frederick; one nephew, Judge Charles Frederick; and a niece, Lucy Frederick Long. Funeral services were held January 4 from the Rhoades-Wilson funeral home, conducted by Rev. Karl Beesley, Kenneth Burright, vocalist, was accompanied at the organ by Mrs. Robert Thomas. Casket bearers were William Warin, James Hughes, Harvey Kittleman, Tom Mullin, Arlen Hughes and Thomas Bown. Honorary bearers were W.W. Robertson, Elton Johnston, Eugene Mullin, Lee Elson, James Lucas, Grant L. Hayes and T. M. Thompson.