John Jacob Lewis, 90, died in the Ellen and Peter Johnson HospiceCare Residence on Thursday, November 16, 2006. On October 29, 1916, he was born, the son of John Bassett Lewis and Edna (Torgeson) Lewis. He grew up in Madison’s Greenbush neighborhood and attended Madison West High School.
John, a World War II veteran, enlisted in the Marine Corps in May 1942. He served with distinction in the Pacific, most notably at Henderson Field in the Solomon Islands.
After being trained as an aircraft mechanic, John was assigned to the Wolf Pack Marine Fighter Squadron and was part of the ground crews at Henderson Field who braved enemy fire to keep the Corsairs and Wildcats flying throughout the six-month war for the island.
The Allied victory at Guadalcanal in February 1943 is a watershed moment in the Pacific War. During the Korean War in 1950, he was pulled back into action. John worked at Harry S. Manchester’s Department Store until his retirement after returning from military service.
John is survived by his 60-year wife, Jean (Stehr) Lewis; three children, Linda Lewis (Jan Anderson), John Lewis (Rhonda), and Mark Lewis (Tanyia Fleming); one granddaughter, Amber Lewis; his sister, Harriett Jenks; sisters-in-law Louise (Stehr) Tesch and Eunice Lewis; and several nieces and nephews. His parents and brothers, Douglas and Phillip, died before him.
On Monday, November 20, at 1:30 p.m., a private family graveside service with full military honors will be held at Forest Hill Cemetery in Madison. Friends may call Linda and Jan Anderson’s home, 833 Sauk Ridge Trail in Madison, from 3:30-5:30 p.m. on Monday.
The family would like to thank the great nurses and staff at the Veterans Administration Hospital for their care and compassion over the last eight months. Donations in place of flowers can be donated to the Ellen and Peter Johnson HospiceCare Residence.
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