Lonas "Lonnie" Lewis

SMSGT (Ret) Lonas Edward Lewis

Matthews, GA  –        Senior Master Sergeant (Retired) Lonas Edward Lewis, 87, loving husband to the late Celanese Fulbright Lewis of Savannah, entered into his eternal rest early Tuesday morning, July 28, 2015 at his residence.  Funeral services will be held in the James Funeral Home Chapel at 12:00PM Friday, July 31, 2015 with Dr. James M. Ford officiating. Interment with full military honors will follow in the Avery Family Cemetery located at his home place.

Born in Van Alstyne, Texas, to the late Lora McClusky Lewis and the late Martin Lewis, he grew up Cave City, KY. After graduating high school, he initially joined the Army but after two years he went in to the Air Force, where he proudly served our country for twenty-one years and retiring as Senior Master Sergeant. His foreign service included WWII, Korea and Vietnam. Moving to Savannah at the time of his retirement, he then went to work for Gulfstream Aerospace as an aircraft technical sepecialist, helping build the first G1 plane and helping design the G2 Flight Trainer Aircraft specifically for space shuttle development.  While living in Savannah, he was a 32nd Degree Mason and a member of the Alee Temple Shrine. Retiring in 1990 with twenty one years of service with Gulfstream, he moved to Matthews. Being raised in KY, he developed a great love for music, especially blue grass and country—good ‘ole hillbilly music—and was a self-taught guitar picker, enjoying many “ho down shindigs” where he played his guitar and “shook a leg”, otherwise known as his style of dance. He enjoyed traveling and especially meeting people. Lonnie loved the peaceful life in the country—fishing on Briar Creek, cooking out and hunting. Lonnie took his responsibilities in life seriously—to his family, his country, his community, and his job.  He was very determined man and his sometimes gruff exterior hid his generous, thoughtful nature. Lonnie wanted the best for his family and friends and would do anything he could to make it happen.  He has left a legacy that will endure time.

Lonnie is also preceded in death by his son, Infant Martin Daniel Lewis; grandson, Michael Brown; brothers, William “Carl” Lewis, Wendel Lewis and Gene Lewis; and his step granddaughter, Lisa Kicklighter. Survivors include his children, Lonnie Lewis II (wife Lorine) of Tifton, Cynthia L. Kicklighter of Savannah, and Lori Houston (husband David) of Matthews; two sisters, Rebecca Brooks of Bowling Green KY, and Betty Sanders of Brunswick; five grandchildren, Benjamin Lewis, Katherine Croxton (husband D.J.), Christopher Brown (wife Kelli), Danny Brown (wife Heather), and Jason Brown (wife Denise); two step grandchildren, Desiree Houston, and Brittany Reese (husband Charlie); five great grandchildren; six step great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends at James Funeral Home two hours prior to services, starting at 10:00AM on Friday, July 31, 2015.