Ernest Lewis

Ernest Ernie Lewis, resident of Kildare, passed away Saturday, February 26, 2011 at his winter home in Harlingen, Texas. He was 75 years of age.

Ernie was born September 12, 1935 in Ponca City, the fifth of ten children born to Dorr and Opal Watson Lewis. He was raised on the family homestead claimed in the Oklahoma Land Run which is now Lake Ponca. He attended the Oak View School, East of Ponca and was a 1954 graduate of Ponca City High School. While in high school, Ernie was a member of the Future Farmers of American and had held the office of reporter in 1952 and Vicepresident from 1953 to 1954.

After graduation Ernie joined the United States Army in December of 1954 and served his country in Bamberg, Germany, Sinop, Turkey and the Aleutian Islands. He was honorably discharged from the Army in December of 1957. He was married to Johna Lee Clark on February 13, 1959 in Ponca City where the couple made their first home. Ernie worked at various jobs before being employed with Conoco in 1961. He became a fulltime employee of Conoco on March 7, 1966 and retired on April 1, 1992 as the Head Operator in the Solvent Plant.

Ernie was a member of the recreation club 1 Chiefs Good Sam Chapter and has been an Oklahoma State Wagon Master since 2005. His enjoyments included farming, raising cattle, camping, spending the winters in South Texas, playing card games and in earlier years motor cycling with his family and friends. He was a well respected, honest and loved man and will be dearly missed.

He is survived by his wife, Johna, of the home two daughters, Carrie Dawn Glaser and husband, Tracy, and Denise Lee Logan and husband, Kirby, all of Ponca City six siblings, Leon Lewis and wife, Doris, Laverna Arriet, Naomi Chartier, John Lewis and wife, Lillian, Calvin Lewis and wife, Delora, and L. David Lewis and wife, Nina five grandchildren, Dustin Glaser, Chris Glaser and wife, Emily, Shane Logan, Garett Logan and Baylee Logan one great granddaughter, Jane Glaser numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents one daughter, Steffani Anne Lewis on May 17, 1980 three brothers, Donald Lewis, Dale Lewis and Garland Lewis.

A visitation will be held for family and friends from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday March 3, 2011 at Grace Memorial Chapel. The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, March 4, 2011 at the Longwood Baptist Church with Pastor Mike Ridgway presiding assisted by Rev. Stephen Harshman. Interment will follow in the Longwood Cemetery under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.

Casket bearers will be his four grandsons, Dustin Glaser, Chris Glaser, Shane Logan and Garett Logan, his two nephews, Andy Lewis and Brady Lewis. Honorary casket bearers will be 1 Chiefs Good Sam Chapter and past employees of the S.T.P.

Memorial contributions may be made to the 1 Chiefs Good Sam Chapter, in care of John Tull, 48250 South 344 Road, Pawnee, Oklahoma 74058.