James Donald Lewis Jr.

James Donald Lewis Jr., age 81, passed away on December 14, 2024. He was born on January 1, 1943 to the late James Donald Lewis Sr. and Jane Marie Lewis. In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by his sister, Mary Jane Lewis.

Jim leaves behind a wife of 20 years, Barbara Ann Lewis; her son, Nick Ritz and daughter Shelly Lagano (Mike); and Barb's grandchildren: Michael Mackey, Aaron Forsythe, Casey Lagano, Tony Lagano and Alex Lagano

Jim also leaves behind his three daughters, Elaine Farabee, Mary Elizabeth "Beth" Colvin (Don), and Michelle Lewis-Nalley (Chris); 5 grandchildren: Arrianne Fiets (Adam), David Farabee (Katie), Zac Colvin (Amanda), Chelsea Carson (Joshua) and Kate Kountz (Corey); and 6 great-grandchildren, Kennedy and Kassidy Fiets, Hudson and London Colvin, and Paisley and Crew Kountz.

Jim also leaves behind 3 sisters, Sandra Pardy, Elizabeth DeRossi, and Nancy Jenkins; and 3 brothers, Gerald Lewis (Sheri), Daniel Lewis (Sharon) and Robert Lewis; and multiple nieces and nephews.

Jim was born in Niagara Falls, New York and lived there until he joined the Air Force in January of 1963. He was stationed at Lockbourne AFB in Columbus, Ohio. He left the active component and joined the Ohio Air National Guard in 1967 and served until he retired at LTC in 1991. During this time frame, he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Business Management from Franklin University. In 1977 he became a civil servant at Wright Patterson Air Force Base. In 1984 he received his Master's Degree in Human Resources from Central Michigan University. He retired from Civil Service in 1999 after serving 36 years. 

Jim loved tracing family genealogy, collecting beer steins and coins, and also spent a lot of time collecting and selling sports cards. He also loved cars and listening to Elvis. He also loved dogs and had a lot of different ones throughout his life.

A visitation will be held from 11:00am to 12:00pm on Thursday, December 26, 2024 at St. Peter Catholic Church, 6161 Chambersburg Road, in Huber Heights. A Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 12:00pm. Father Kyle Schnippel, Celebrant. Following Mass, Jim will be laid to rest with military honors at Dayton National Cemetery.

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