Joseph James Lewis Jr.

Joseph James Lewis, Jr., 78, passed away on Wednesday, Aug.11, 2010 after a courageous battle with acute myelogenous leukemia. A Celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, 2:00 pm at Hanes Lineberry Sedgefield Chapel with Rev. Michael Barrett officiating. Burial will follow at Guilford Memorial Park with full Military Honors.

He was born in Jersey City, NJ on March 2, 1932. Mr. Lewis attended schools in New Jersey and graduated from Rutgers University. After school, he joined the United States Army and served as a medic in the Korean War. After the war, he worked for Western Electric in the machine shop and was promoted with AT&T and transferred to Greensboro where he became a supervisor with the purchasing department and retired after 36 years of service.

Joe was very active in the Greensboro community where he was a trumpet player. He played for many years for the Cathedral of His Glory. He played for several groups over the years, The Greensboro Concert Band, Bert Massengale Band, and Kings of Swings. He was a member for years with Razz-Ma-Tazz Musical Revue group and traveled all over the work entertaining with his friends. Also Livestock Theatre was a big part of his life, where he was in the band for many plays at the Carolina Theatre. Joe loved bowling where he belonged to two leagues.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Mary Lewis, Sr. Surviving is his loving wife of 27 years, Diane Owen Lewis; children Jay and Susan Lewis of New Jersey and Mark Lewis of Greensboro. He is also survived by his loving daughters; Heather James of Greensboro, Stephanie Portaro of High Point, NC and step-daughter and son in law Kimberly and Greg Loyd of Greensboro, NC. He loved his five grandchildren and thought they were all very special. They are Gregory and Michele Loyd, Rachel and Hannah James and Chase Portaro.

Joe was a member of Pleasant Garden Baptist Church and also a member of his beloved Sunday School Class. The devotion of members of Pleasant Garden Baptist Church have been wonderful, especially the outpouring of love and prayers for our family. Joe loved the Lord with all of his heart and soul.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Pleasant Garden Baptist Church, PO Box 157, Pleasant Garden, NC 27313 and make payable to Pleasant Garden Baptist Church Family Life Center.

The family will receive friends on Friday evening from 6 to 8:30 pm at Hanes Lineberry Sedgefield Chapel.