Raymond E. Lewis

Raymond Eugene Lewis, son of Albert Lewis and Larena Springer Lewis, was born August 25, 1918 at Dawson, Iowa, and died April 8, 2011 at the Rowley Memorial Masonic Home in Perry, Iowa at the age of 92. Raymond graduated from Dawson High School in 1937. He served in the U.S. Army during WWII. "Gene" as he was lovingly known by his family, drove a gravel truck, worked in the coal mines north of Dawson, delivered blocks of ice for iceboxes and then owned his own business "The Ice House". Gene was very proud of his 30 years with the Perry Water Works from 1951 to 1981. Gene was married to Dorothy D. Mildred Devilbiss on May 28, 1968. They enjoyed 39 years of marriage before Dorothy's death December 7, 2007. Together they enjoyed scrapping metal, gardening, canning, fishing, and volunteered for the Civil Patrol. He continued many of those interests as he continued to live in their home on Park Street. Gene was an avid fisherman and taught many to fish. He took good care of his lawn and big gardens. Most of all, Gene loved his family and his many friends. He enjoyed visiting with everyone and never knew a stranger. Gene was a former member of the Moose Lodge in Perry and was a member of the American Legion in Minburn. In addition of his wife Dorothy, Gene was preceded in death by two daughters, Donna Choate and Judy Eastman; brother Dewayne Lewis and sister Ruby Peterson; grandson Gregory Choate; two great-granddaughters Beatrice Blades and Jessica Dixon and nephew Robert Smotherman. Gene is survived by 11 grandchildren, Bea Elliott of Houston, TX; Dale Choate serving in the military in Afghanistan; Jeanne Harvey (Bill) of Urbandale; Donnie Choate of Des Moines; Ronda Blades (Mike) of Elysian Fields, TX; Wendy Cooper (Scott) of Dawson; Patrick Eastman of Dawson; Denise Heinz (Joel) of Dawson; Kerri Heinz (Orlin) of Perry; Sherri Sharp of Springfield, MO; and Kimberly Dixon of Corpus Christi, TX; 23 great grandchildren Dean; April; Donna; Marc; Jennifer; Ashley; Steven; Gregory; Betty Lynn; Heather; Amanda; Lukas; Alexis; Keegan; Jacob; Matt; Mike; Melody; Josh; Ashley; Megan; Kyle; and Danielle; 6 great-great grandchildren; his sons-in-law James Choate and wife Joyce of Bayard and Eldon Eastman of Dawson; five sisters-in-law Dorothy Devilbiss of Perry; Helen Evans of Des Moines; and Hazel Barnes of Dexter; nieces Roberta Carpenter of Perry; Marilyn King of Fairbanks, AK; nephews DeWayne "Butch" Lewis and wife Katie of Grimes; Ron Lewis and wife Cathy of Lee Summit, MO; cousins, other relatives and many, many friends. Memorials are designated to the Perry Police Department.