Kay M Lewis

1936 - 2021

Kay Michie Lewis, 84, of Salt Lake City, Utah, passed away at his home on January 5th, 2021, surrounded by his beloved wife and all of his living children. He was born on March 11, 1936 in Heber City, Utah, the son of Earl Provost and Fern Michie (Provost) Lewis. His parents moved to Provo, Utah where Kay spent all of his childhood and attended Provo High School, where he excelled in sports, drama and debate.

Kay was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and was called to serve as a missionary in the Mexico North Mission. With the inception of traveling proselyting tours, Elder Lewis enjoyed playing basketball and singing in a chorus as the Elders traveled all over the Northern Mexico mission and spread the gospel. Elder Lewis possessed a strong, unwavering testimony of the gospel and adored sharing it with others.

After serving his mission, Kay matriculated at Brigham Young University where he met his sweetheart, Sherlyn Hart. They were married in the Idaho Falls Temple on March 18, 1960. After graduating from BYU with a bachelor’s degree in English, Kay and Sherlyn moved to Salt Lake where Kay entered the University of Utah Law School where he received his J.D. Kay was a respected attorney and litigator, grew his own, well-respected, law firm, Jensen & Lewis, and worked for 50 years serving the Salt Lake community before he retired. His deep, resonant, base voice commanded attention in a courtroom.

Kay cherished his dear wife, Sherlyn, and loved his family. They are the parents of six children. Kay was always a gentleman to his wife and taught his boys to honor and respect women. Moreover, he taught his children, through action and deed, that work was a blessing and a key to success and happiness. Kay was a gifted orator, endeared storyteller and big-hearted man who entertained his children and grandchildren with his witty, original stories. He always made time for annual family trips throughout the States, including Alaska and Hawaii, Mexico as well as Europe.

Kay and Sherlyn served in many capacities in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Two of Kay’s favorite callings were Bishop of a University of Utah Student ward and Mission President of the McAllen, Texas mission. He enjoyed the hard work, relished the opportunity to work with young people and thrived on serving the Lord again in the mission field. President and Sister Lewis keep in touch with numerous former missionaries who have become their second family.

Kay was an avid outdoorsman who loved to hunt, fish, camp, snowmobile and tend to his horses. He savored the outdoors, especially the mountains. He was actively involved in the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and served on the Executive Board for years. Nevertheless, the family ranch in Woodland, Utah, was his pride and joy. He found refuge at the ranch by working hard, basking in its pristine beauty, and enjoying its quiet solitude. There was nothing more satisfying, or invigorating, to Kay than to spend time at Woodland, surrounded by his wife, children, and grandchildren. His love for Woodland was easily passed to all his posterity.

Kay was an ardent BYU fan where BYU sports were more than a passion; they were a way of life. He was a Golden Cougar Club member for years. At the same time, he used BYU sports as a vehicle to bring his family together, teach them about character and hard work and motivate them to reach for their own goals and aspirations. Kay created treasured memories with his children and grandchildren which will be cherished forever.

Kay was a staunch advocate of education; he made it a priority to assure all his children attended college. He was a voracious reader and enjoyed biographies, classic literature, especially Shakespeare, and Westerns. One of his favorite quotes was from Louis L’Amour, “Every time a man gets up in the morning, he starts his life over…you can always start over, saddle a fresh horse and take another trail.” He was a pillar of strength who positively impacted many lives through kind and charitable acts throughout his lifetime.

Kay is survived by his wife, Sherlyn; children, Brad K, Craig H (Desi), Laura (Paul) Goulding, Shaylyn, and Devin J (Caylee); 19 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Kay is preceded in death by his daughter Julie; grandson Jaxon; siblings, Maxine Murdock, Sterling Lewis, Earlena Kimball and David Lewis; and parents.

Due to Covid restrictions, a private funeral service will be held Wednesday, January 13th, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. at the Monument Park 17th Ward, 2795 Crestview Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah. The funeral may be viewed live or recorded on https://zoom.us/j/96811263459 . Interment will be at Wasatch Lawn in Salt Lake City. Online condolences may be shared at www.wasatchlawn.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like donations to be made to the Perpetual Education Fund of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Video of the missionaries:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eawpXq7b6G57mp7mH51sQjfZWjKVY5y-/view?usp=sharing