Leland Duane Lewis was born in Johnson City, NY to Raymon James and Elva Mildred Lewis. He was blessed with two younger siblings, Myron Roy and Patty Ann. He was raised in Johnson City and graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Syracuse University in 1949.
Lew met the Love of His Life, Lena Mae "Lee" Strickland, while he was in the hospital recuperating from knee surgery and she was completing her Registered Nurse training. He was immediately enchanted by this beautiful nurse who took such good care of him and he resolved to win her full attention. He was successful and they were married on September 11, 1948 and remained happily married for 68 years. Lee continued to care for Lew - and many, many others - until Lew assumed the role of devoted caregiver for Lee when she developed Alzheimer's, and faithfully cared for her until her death.
He and Lee bought and completely rebuilt their first home in Carthage, NY while Lew was employed by a paper manufacturer. When Lew got the job he held with IBM until he retired, they moved to Endwell, NY where Lew and Lee designed and built their own home. Their two children, Todd Raymond and Beth Ann, were born while Lew and Lee were living in Endwell.
The family moved to Raleigh in 1966 when Lew was transferred by IBM. Lew designed their house and they remained in that house until moving to Springmoor Life Care Retirement Community in 2014.
Lew was involved in many types of engineering during his life and career: his first public engineering project was in 1935 when he entered the Binghamton, NY Soap Box Derby race, and in 1936 he won the local Derby in a car which his father insisted he build without any help at all.
Among the many projects he worked on while at IBM, Lew helped design the first successful 24-hour banking machine (for Lloyd's Bank of England) and also participated in designing the first practical barcode reader.
Lew's faith was strong and he loved serving his Lord. As a Charter Member of North Raleigh United Methodist Church he served in many capacities and since woodworking was one of his many skills, he liked to work behind the scenes building or repairing things.
Lew always enjoyed helping others and readily shared his many talents. His family was always foremost in his thoughts and he spent countless hours assisting his family in innumerable ways, always with a smile.
Lew is survived by his sister Pattie Ann and husband Roger Remy of Tampa, FL; son Todd and daughter-in-law Patricia Lewis of Wake Forest, NC; daughter Beth Lewis of Wilmington, NC; grandchildren Robert Haynes and wife Eden of Chicago, IL; Lindsay and husband Patrick LaRose of Wilmington, NC; Amy Lewis of Oyster Bay, NY and Brycen Lewis of Wilmington, NC; five great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 68 years, Lena (Lee) and his brother Myron Roy of Boyton Beach, FL.
Memorial services will be held Tuesday, September 17 at 1:00 pm at North Raleigh United Methodist Church, 8501 Honeycutt Rd. Raleigh NC 27615. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: NRUMC Altar Guild, 8501 Honeycutt Rd. Raleigh NC 27615 and/or Springmoor Endowment Fund, 1500 Sawmill Rd. Raleigh NC 27615.
Lew will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend.
He will be dearly missed.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18