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.