Larry R Lewis

Lewis, Larry R, passed away peacefully on February 7, 2014 after a long and difficult battle with cancer. He was born in Ajo, Arizona on April 25, 1942, to Maynard and Eda Lewis. The family moved back to Swanwick, Illinois when he was a small child and returned to Ajo six years later where he spent the rest of his childhood attending Ajo Curly Elementary School and Ajo High School, from which he graduated in 1960. He then attended Northern Arizona University, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in 1966 and a Master’s Degree in 1970. He taught Industrial Arts classes at Buckeye Union High School for 29 years and was the architect of the Tech 2000 Lab. He became the youngest teacher to retire from BUHS in 1994 at the age of 52. He made the most of his retirement by traveling, visiting family, and indulging his passions of fishing, bird hunting, and prospecting. He dedicated himself to his religion, which he didn’t merely practice, but embodied. In 2005, he moved to the lovely, peaceful town of Wickenburg where he was taken in, appreciated, and loved by his Desert Cypress Trailer Ranch family, the First Southern Baptist Church congregation, and all who met him and benefited from his pleasant disposition, willingness to be of help and unbelievable generosity. He is already missed by his family, students and friends. He is preceded in death by his mother, father, and sisters, Elsie Swartwood and Lora Keaton. He is survived by his sister Carol, his brother and sister-in-law Byron and Nancy Lewis and 17 nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 8, 2014 at 10:30 AM at the First Southern Baptist Church, 360 W. Yavapai St in Wickenburg. Donations in his memory may be made to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower St. Phoenix, AZ 85014, and or the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, 3877 N. 7th St., Phoenix, AZ 85014.