Victor Clyde Lewis

Victor Clyde Lewis started his earthly journey on January 28, 1931 in Visalia, CA, son of Victor Clair Lewis and Gertrude Mary Margaret (Wortman) Lewis, and went to be with the Lord on September 8, 2025, age 94. Known as “Sonny” to family, he attended grammar school at Deep Creek School east of Visalia, and later graduated from Visalia High School, now known as Redwood High. As a kid he spent many summers in the nearby mountains where his family ran a logging camp, and one summer he along with his siblings even got to be extras in a movie called “Hot Cargo”! After high school and junior college he joined the U.S. Navy in 1951, serving on active duty through 1955,and then was on reserve until 1959. During his active duty service he was in a car accident that badly damaged his left leg and from which it took him a year to recuperate. But on the positive side it was there he received the training that would serve as the basis for his eventual career in missile development and evaluation.

After discharge from the Navy he attended Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, where he earned a B.S. in mathematics and studied electronic engineering. After graduation he went to work for the Raytheon Corporation. If the company had problems with their missile testing equipment, Vic was their “go-to” man to send to tell them how to fix it, which meant going to various bases across the United States, sometimes at a moment’s notice. This led to him having an “open ticket” that allowed him to catch a flight whenever and wherever needed. Besides his extensive travel in the U.S. he also traveled abroad, and at one time was invited to play cards with the “King” of Kuwait.

In October of 1975 Vic became a Born Again Christian. As a result of his faith and knowledge he spent many years in exhaustive research and mathematical comparisons to write his book The Mystery of Old Testament Chronology Revealed. In 1977 he married Wilma Mildred (Purcel) Throop. The couple lived in Ventura for a few years, and then about 1985 moved to Crescent City in northern California. There Vic tended to a large garden, growing enough produce to not only feed him and Wilma, but many neighbors and friends as well. Together they helped to fund and build a new church, and Vic began his ministry in the Del Norte County jail and eventually in the Pelican Bay State Prison, a supermax prison in Crescent City. Over the years he received several letters of appreciation from some of those who felt he had helped to change their lives.

Wilma passed away in 2009, and in 2012 Vic moved back to Visalia to be closer to family. He was preceded in death by wife Wilma (Vic passed away on what would have been Wilma’s 100th birthday!), sister Gertrude E. Fly and brother-in-law John Fly, brother James D. Lewis and sister-in-law Peggy Lewis of Visalia.

Survivors include sister Gene L. Lemke (Dennis) of Visalia, sister Lorene M. Clark (John) of Exeter, Matthew J. and Stephen D. Taylor, grandsons of Wilma Lewis, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Many thanks go to the wonderful folks at the Manor House in Exeter, who all made for a home away from home for Vic for the past six years. Their loving care, thoughtfulness, and friendship have been greatly appreciated. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be directed to Exeter Christian Services, c/o The Manor House, 710 Lenox, Exeter, California 93221.

Graveside services will be held at the Visalia Cemetery on Friday, September 26, at 1:00pm. Following the services a gathering of remembrances will take place at the Exeter Church of Christ, 320 E. Firebaugh Ave., Exeter, CA. Services are being handled by Miller Memorial Chapel.