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 </figure>Charles Leroy Lewis was born June 5th, 1940 to Charles Walter and Neola 
Fern (Bennett) Lewis in Elk Falls, Kansas. He grew up attending two 
different country schools, and his school days ended when he was in the 
9th grade in Independence, Kansas.
	When Charles was 12, he started working on a Dairy farm. He would 
go in every morning at 4 AM, work until school started and go back once 
school let out for the day. He would get a nickel a week of his wages, 
(which he saved for a new bicycle, but the rest was given to his 
parents. He also vividly remembered working on his Granny Bennett’s 
farm, doing all that was required. His Grandpa would hitch the horses to
 the wagon for him and Granny so they could go to the corn field 
together to bring home a wagon full of corn. Charles would unload the 
wagon while Granny made him some lunch, and then back to the field they 
would go to get another wagon load. He also spent many years ranching 
and hauling cattle. He took a lot of joy in sharing his ranching day 
stories with his grandkids.
	Charles was an only child until the age of 13. At which time sister
 Diana Fern, and twin brother David Earl were born. 3 years later he 
welcomed another set of twin sisters Nola Faye and Lola Mae.
	At age 17 he was set up on a blind date with Ellen Sitsler of 
Coffeyville, Kansas. He was late for that date because his car broke 
down on the way, which made Ellen not want to go with him. Ellen’s 
father made her go on the date that night and the couple was later 
married in Miami, Oklahoma on March 23rd, 1958. They started their 
family in Coffeyville, Kansas where Carlo Mae, Miranda Jo, Charles LeRoy
 Jr., Terry Lee, Mary Janine, and Timmy Ray were born.
	Charles worked hard all his life to provide for his family and 
started working for Clear Creek Incorporated in 1970. In 1979 they 
transferred him to Hill City, and he retired from the same company in 
2008. After retirement Charles and Ellen enjoyed their many traveling 
adventures. Most of them were spent with Diana and Gary. Some of his 
greatest joys were spending time with his Cousin Phil while seeing his 
horses and mules and helping several different farmers with harvest. He
 also enjoyed, reading his Louis L’Amour books, a good Western movie, 
gardening, and going to rodeos. He took pride in being his grandkids 
taxi driver, even though the grandkids thought he was the slowest driver
 in Graham County. 
	Charles was proceeded in death by his Wife Ellen, Daughter Carlo, Parents, Brother David, and Sister Lola.
	Left to celebrate his life are Jo (David) McDermott of Hill City, 
Chuck (Amanda) Lewis of Hill City, Terry (Bodie) Cooper of Hill City, 
Janine (Kurtis) Shearer of Norton, Tim (Elizabeth) Lewis of Hill City, 
14 Grandchildren, 14 Great Grandchildren, and several 
step-Grandchildren., Sisters Diana (Gary) Hackler of Bartlesville, Ok., 
Nola (Steve) Kjellberg) of Belpre, Ks. We also cannot forget about the 
many kids who lived with Charles and Ellen throughout the years.
	One of the greatest gifts our Dad showed us through his life was 
how to be a Godly man who walked by Faith. He accepted Jesus Christ as 
his Lord and Savior at a young age at Emmanuel Baptist Church. His slow,
 steadfast pace in life saw him achieve many successes with work, but 
his legacy of family will live on in his children, and grandchildren for
 ages to come.
	Dad, Pops, Papa Charles, Charlie…. We love you.