David Leon Lewis

He went to sleep, to be with his Lord and Savior on January 14, 2022, surrounded by those who loved him fiercely, in a battle with the COVID19 virus. For those of you that knew David, you knew his sense of humor, laughter, strong work ethic and faith in God.

David Leon Lewis of rural southeast Putnam County was born to Adrian E. Lewis and Elizabeth A. Lewis on March 18, 1951, in Kirksville, Missouri. The first ten years of his childhood were spent north of Kirksville, where he attended the one room school, Bryant. In 1961, he and his family moved to rural southeast Putnam County where he lived until he joined the U.S. Navy in 1969, serving until 1973. Prior to joining the Navy, David attended Martinstown Grade School and on to graduate from the Putnam County R-1 High School in 1969. Growing up he spent his summers riding his bike, riding the family horses, spending quality time with his grandparents and traversing the many acres of timber with his sisters, Ellen Gordon (Tom McDonald) and Connie Michael (Nick) as well as helping his dad with the many farm and livestock responsibilities.

After spending four years in the US Navy on the USS Floyd B Parks DD 884, he returned to northern Missouri where he spent a lifetime farming and thirty years in the construction industry. In 1973, he and Delores Claybrook were married—with this union they had two daughters, Linda Lewis of Kirksville, Missouri and Teresa Pothier (Jade) of Kearney, Missouri.

David and Diana Lynn (Wright) enjoyed fourteen years of marriage. They had a very special and fun relationship, enjoying many USS Floyd B Parks shipmate reunions across the country, motorcycle rides and just being together. David enjoyed, with pride, watching Diana create her beautiful award winning quilts. On the cold and snowy days, he was content to read a good western. David and Diana resided on their farm in southeast Putnam County.

David was blessed to have three wonderful grandchildren who wish they had had his laughter/teasing, strength, guidance and love a little longer. He will continue to look upon, Devin Lewis, Parker Pothier and Olivia Pothier.

David leaves behind many friends and family that will miss him. In addition to his wife, daughters, grandchildren, and sisters, he leaves behind a stepson, Jason Wright (Heidi) of Hammond, IN, and four nephews—Joshua Rennells, Mike Rennells, Dustin Gordon and Tanner Michael. As well as, eight great-nieces and nephews.

David was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Herman and Maggie Lewis; his maternal grandparents, Albert and Marie McKinley; his parents, Adrian and Betty Lewis.

David can be remembered as someone that would, at the drop of a hat, help his neighbors, friends, family or strangers, day or night. He was a natural born “fix it” guy. No matter what was broken he could fix it! He had a passion of restoring old tractors and anything else he thought needed to be improved. Most importantly to David, he was baptized into the Church of Christ in 1969 and was active in the Parkview Church of Christ in Unionville, Missouri.

Being a proud US Navy veteran, his wish was to be buried at the Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery in Jacksonville, MO. There will be a public military burial service for David at Jacksonville on April 29th, 2022 at 11:00 a.m.