Arthur V Lewis

Art was born August 30, 1927, in New York City, to parents, Art and Elizabeth Lewis. He grew up on a farm in Irvington on the Hudson in Upstate New York. Art graduated from Hackley Prep school in Terrytown, New York in 1945. He received a degree in Geology from Williams University in Williamstown, Massachusetts in 1948. Upon graduation, he went to work for Union Oil Company where he spent his entire career. Art married the love of his life, Lorraine Elizabeth Hoyle on December 16, 1953, in Billings, Montana. Soon after, they moved to Denver, Colorado, where they had three children: Anne, Janet and Art. From there they moved to Roswell, New Mexico, Placentia, California and eventually Ventura in 1977. Art retired from Unocal in 1986 as an Exploration Manager and began his second career serving his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ by giving back to others.

He was actively involved in his local church, leading Bible studies, serving Family to Family meals to the homeless, and preparing and serving Senior Brunch. Other volunteer work included: Ventura County Food Share, Friends of the Library, Docent for the Oil Museum in Santa Paula, Treasurer for the Ventura County Computer Users Group, and leader of an AARP free tax service for seniors. Art was in the United States Army Reserves from 1948 to 1966 and honorably discharged at the rank of Captain.

Art had a great sense of humor, enjoyed telling jokes, loved spending time with his family and took delight in gardening, often entering his blue ribbon vegetables in the Ventura County Fair. He loved reading, watching college football with his wife, entertaining friends and traveling the world. One of his favorite joys was taking summer trips to Ogunquit, Maine and spending time with his East Coast relatives. He was a loving husband, father, uncle, cousin, grandfather and friend.

Art is survived by his loving wife of 61 wonderful years, Lorraine Lewis; his children and their spouses: Anne Lewis, Janet and Jim Toscano, Art and Astrid Lewis; and five wonderful grandchildren: Matthew and David Toscano, Cameron, Jordan and Isabelle Lewis.

He is deeply missed, but we are all looking forward to a future family reunion and spending eternity with Art in heaven.

Funeral services for Art will be held on Friday, March 20, 2015, at 10:00 a.m. at Ventura First Assembly of God, 346 North Kimball Road, Ventura, CA. A celebration of life will take place immediately following the service in McLaughlin Hall at the Ventura First Assembly of God Church. All are welcome to attend and celebrate the life of Arthur Vaughan Lewis Jr.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home, 3150 Loma Vista Road, Ventura. Condolences may be left at TedMayrFuneralHome.com.