Charlie Lewis

Charlie Lewis beloved husband of Celia (nee Hollander). Loving father of Charles Darby Lewis, Emma Celeste Lewis (Austin G. Stevens) and Helen Carlile Lewis. Dear brother of Bob (Dianna) Lewis, Jeannie (Jim) Lewis, Joe Anne (Ken) Springer, Wid Lewis, Cathy Lewis Alexander, Estle (Michael) Lewis-McBride, Clint Lewis and the late Claudia (Ron) Lewis. Preceded in death by Brother-in-Law Tom Claxon and Sister-in-Law Patty Lewis.

Celebration of Life: Sunday, January 28, 2024

at Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple

23737 Fairmount Blvd, Beachwood, Ohio 44122

Details:

1:30pm service in person and livestream at www.fairmounttemple.org

Shiva reception following, with Zoom capability.

Email [email protected] for the link and more details.

Charlie filled his life, and we documented it.

Friends who choose to may contribute in Charlie's name to any of these recipients:

AAMP Athens Artists Memorial Project: www.artistsmemorialproject.org

FVRC: FederalValleyResourceCenter.org

Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple: bit.ly/3sLZAEQ - to the fund of your choice.

Charlie was born Dec. 11, 1950, in Lewis County, Ky., to Claude “Joe” Brady Lewis and Helen Louella Liles Lewis, and graduated from Bloom Local High School in South Webster.

Charlie was a professional performing musician throughout his life. To support this, he worked in purchasing and operations management, and worked his last 17 working years with troubled children in an alternative school.

He sang and played music for Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple in Beachwood in support of High Holy Days and monthly Kabbalat Shabbat services for nearly two decades. Charlie was a lifetime member of the American Federation of Musicians union and served as a board member and interim artistic director at Ohio Valley Summer Theater in Athens.

Charlie’s love of music started early, singing with his parents and eight siblings at every opportunity. He and his sister Joe Anne sang as a duo throughout high school. He sang with the Ohio State Children’s Choir. Charlie headed up a Singer/Songwriters group in Columbus, Ohio.

Charlie studied music and theater arts at Ohio University in Athens, performed at the Monomoy Theatre on Cape Cod, and was an original member of the Appalachian Green Parks Project, an Appalachian cultural arts performance group supported by the OU schools of music and theater, the Ohio Arts Council and National Endowment for the Arts.

From this group he and another member formed the New Vinton County Frogwhompers Marching, Singing, Strumming & Plucking Society. This group gained a following even as they transitioned to A Touch of Grass when group members switched out.

Charlie continued writing and playing music as he started his family, supporting his music with administrative employment (day jobs). He went on to form Alive & Kicking with partner Celia, and the Mighty Fine Reformulated All Purpose Family Band with Celia & cousin Bill Mullins. Charlie & Celia joined the Long Road band in Cleveland Heights, Ohio for a time. What a time that was.

Following employment opportunities, he and his family lived in Columbus, Athens County and Cleveland, and Coral Springs, Fla., for a few years, ending up in Athens County. Charlie and Celia provided music in many settings, and regularly for Fairmount Temple. When Charlie’s health took a sudden turn, he retired from all pursuits, ultimately moving to Cleveland for more consistent quality health care.