Thornton----David Ray Lewis was born January 23, 1935 in Batavia , New York as the oldest child of Rev. Asa Ray Lewis and Mrs. Charlotte Simkin Lewis. He grew up in Presbyterian church manses where his father served: East Pembroke , N.Y., Weedsport , N.Y. , Westhamptom Beach N.Y. , and North Presbyterian Church in North Tonawanda , N.Y. He graduated from North Tonawanda High School in 1953, attended Earlham College in Richmond , Indiana where he met his future wife, Frances Walter, and both graduated in 1957. David and Frances were married at St. Mary’s in the Mountains near her home in New Hampshire in 1958. They then lived in New York City while David attended Union Theological Seminary and she taught school at East Woods School in Oyster Bay , N.Y. David graduated in 1960 and was ordained and received a call to become a minister in Croton Falls , N.Y. Their oldest three sons, Daniel, Stephen and Benjamin were born there. In 1964 they moved to Lafayette , N.Y. where he served the Columbian Presbyterian Church and had their youngest son, Timothy. In 1969 the family moved to East Aurora , N.Y. where David served as Associate Pastor until 1976. He and his wife joined a friend to establish a Christian Education servicing company (I.D.E.A.) which provided churches of five denominations (Presbyterian, United Church of Christ, Disciples, American Baptists, United Methodists) with a wide variety of programs until 1983 when David was called by The Program Agency of The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to become their Associate for Men’s Program and Leader Development. The family moved to New York City , and then, in 1988, a church merger took them to Louisville , Kentucky .
A significant part of Dave’s work in the Program Agency was writing and editing materials dealing with contemporary faith issues and Bible study. His particular interest in the Gospel of Mark led him to write three books and lead numerous workshops and classes drawing on this scholarship. The last of these studies was published late in 2011. During these years he served on the boards of The Association for Presbyterian Educators (who gave him their Life Achievement Award in 1998), Auburn Theological Seminary, and The Men’s Studies Association.
David Lewis retired in June of 1994 and the couple moved to Mrs. Lewis’ family home in Thornton , New Hampshire . He was very active in the Thornton-Plymouth area. David Lewis participated in two men’s groups, and provided leadership for several fundraisers focused on Africa . He represented the Presbyterian Church on the New Hampshire Council of Churches and the United Campus Ministry at Plymouth State University . Throughout the various aspects of his professional and volunteer work David was known for his creativity and imagination.
The Lewises have been a part of a summer community in La Have, Nova Scotia for over forty years. They have also traveled extensively to participate in service projects ( Madagascar , Kenya , Thailand , and Koinonia , Georgia and study programs in Mexico and Thailand .) They have traveled to visit family and friends in this country and abroad.
David Lewis is survived by his wife of fifty four years, Frances Walter Lewis; their children Daniel Lewis and his wife Sukanda (Ja) and son Henry of Bangkok, Thailand; Stephen Lewis and his children Gemma and Skylar Lewis of Vermont and Maine; Benjamin Langhinrichs and his wife Julie and their children Sara, Nathan and Matthew Langhinrichs of Ohio; Timothy Winslea and his wife Elizabeth and their children Jacob and Anna Winslea of Portland, Oregon; his sister Carol Lewis Stoneburner and her husband John and their son Stephen of North Carolina. A younger brother, John Edward Lewis died in 1977.
David Lewis died from cancer on July 4, 2012. Memorial services will be held at the Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ, 4 Post Office Square, Plymouth, N.H. on Monday, July 16, 2012 at 10:00AM.
The family is deeply appreciative of the continuous support from extended family, friends (near and far), church members and Hospice. Memorial gifts may be sent to the Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ, PO Box 86, Plymouth, NH 03264 for “Dave’s Mission Fund” which will enable new mission volunteers to experience a variety of different cultures.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, N.H. is assisting the family with the arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial go to www.wilkinsonbeane.com .