John Michael "Mike" Lewis

Mike Lewis, son of Roland J. and Ethel J. Lewis, was born in the Canal Zone (Panama) in 1935. He was the oldest of five children, Robert, Tom, Lydia and Pat. He is survived by his sons, Tom and James Lewis, and his daughter, Lydia Marie. He also leaves behind his granddaughter, Morgan, and his grandson, Phillip, as well as two great-grandchildren, Phillip’s son, Theo and Lydia’s daughter, Amber Mae.

He spent his childhood years living every boy’s dream of adventure. He enjoyed freedom unknown to most boys to explore the jungle, hunt, ride his horse and getting to participate in things relating to WWII. On one occasion, when an Army plane crashed into the jungle, the search party called upon 10-year-old Mike to be their guide to and from the crash site.

In 1950, the family moved the United States, eventually settling in El Paso, Texas. He attended Stephen A. Austin High School and, upon graduation in 1954, he joined the newly formed U.S Air Force. He was sent to Lackland Air Force Base for Basic Training. Eventually, after attending numerous schools, he became attached to the crew of a B-47, a jet bomber that, according to statistics, would not fly. He excelled in his duties, was promoted quickly to be the Crew Chief. In this role he traveled the world in his plane. Korea was over, but Viet Nam had escalated.

Eventually, he landed in Topeka, Kansas, where he met his first wife, Marsha Lever (deceased), the mother of his children. He spent the next years in a supervisory job, scheduling aircraft sorties and keeping everything running as near to perfect as possible. From 1968 to 1969, he was deployed to Thailand to serve in support of war efforts in Viet Nam. When he transferred back to the United States he was assigned to Barksdale AFB, Shreveport, La. Where he served until his retirement from the Air Force. Here he met his second wife, Mary Ruth (deceased).

Once retired, he spent remainder of his years in Shreveport, with one short diversion to Colorado Springs. He kept working, however, and in each position held he brought organization and perfection with him.

Mike had several heart attacks and eventually ended up with wall-to-wall stints. Nonetheless, He and Mary Ruth were very active in their church and kept busy doing things they enjoyed. During the night of 12 April, Mike peacefully went home and rejoin Mary Ruth in their pursuit of happiness.

Visitation will be held at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home, 8801 Mansfield Road, Shreveport, Louisiana 71108, on April 17, 2026, beginning at 1:00 pm, followed by a Celebration of Life on April 17, 2026, beginning at 2:00 pm. He will be laid to rest in Centuries Memorial Park in the garden of American Heritage.