Lewis was born in Muldrow, Oklahoma on January 7, 1920 to Joel Elijah Sutton and Laura Viola Woodward Sutton. He was the fourth child of 9 children.
Lewis grew up during the depression, but never felt he did without. His mother passed away in 1937 and his father needed help. Lewis left school and soon joined the Civilian Conservation Corps that helped young men like him with jobs. It was not long after that, that Germany had begun their invasion of Europe. While the draft was beginning to take place, Lewis voluntarily joined the Army. He went to Cooks and Baker School at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma. It was while he was there that word got out that Pearl Harbor had been attacked. Lewis served as a scout with the 610th Battalion in the European Conflict. After the war, Lewis returned home. Jobs were difficult to come by, but Lewis soon found a job working as a sales clerk at Sears Roebuck. It was at this time, that Lewis met the love of his life, Etta Elizabeth Pound at a VFW dance.
Lewis reenlisted into the Army and was stationed in Korea. He was gone for 22 months. Before he left, Lewis wanted to ask Elizabeth to marry him, but could not get up the nerve. While in Korea, he finally decided that she was the one for him and wrote a letter asking her to marry him. She of course said, yes!
When he returned home from Korea, he and Elizabeth were married December 11, 1948. With this union they had four children; Jerry Lewis, Joel Albert, Richard Lee and Melisa (Lisa) Lynn. They were married for 54 years until Elizabeth passed away.
Lewis continued with his military career and retired in 1962. It was during his military career that Lewis heeded the call into the ministry. He became an ordained minister. He pastored churches all over Oklahoma and the Panama Canal.
While pastoring, he picked up the game of golf. It soon became a great hobby for him. He soon began to make golf clubs for friends and family.
Lewis retired from the ministry in 1986 and moved to Oklahoma City with Elizabeth and Lisa. Lewis continued to serve the Lord when he could.
Lewis was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers Robert Napoleon, Raymond Edward, and sisters Audrey Irene, Ruth Margret, Virgie Lee and Okla Izola and his wife Etta Elizabeth. He is survived by his children; Jerry Lewis and his wife Sally, Joel, Richard and Lisa and her husband Dane Gathright. He also leaves behind 7 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.
A visitation is planned for Wednesday, April 20, 2022 from 5 pm to 8 pm. The visitation will be at Advantage Funeral Home on 7720 S Pennsylvania Ave., Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73159. A graveside service will be at 11:00 am on Thursday, April 21, 2022 at Resthaven Memorial Gardens, Southwest 104th at Walker, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. A memorial service will follow at Southpark Baptist Church, 2900 Southwest 119th Street, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma at 2 pm. All are invited to come to celebrate the life of Lewis.
