LEWIS, Larry R.

The Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, Arizona Wednesday, February 19, 2014 Larry R. Lewis peacefully met his Lord and Savior on Feb. 7 after a long, hard battle with cancer. He was born in Ajo, Ariz., on April 25, 1942 to Maynard and Eda Lewis. The family moved back to Swanwick, Ill., when he was a small child and returned to Ajo six years later. He spent the rest of his childhood attending Ajo Curly Elementary School and Ajo High School, from which he graduated in 1960. He then attended Northern Arizona University, earning a bachelor’s degree in 1966 and a master’s degree in 1970. He taught industrial arts classes at Buckeye Union High School for 29 years and became the youngest teacher to retire from Buckeye Union High School in 1994 at the age of 52. He made the most of his newfound freedom by traveling, visiting family, and indulging his passions for fishing, bird hunting, and prospecting for gold. He also dedicated himself to his religion, which he didn’t merely practice but embodied. In 2005, he moved to the lovely, peaceful little town of Wickenburg, where he was taken in, appreciated, and loved by his Desert Cypress Trailer Ranch family, the First Southern Baptist Church congregation, and all who met him and benefited from his pleasant disposition, willingness to be of help, and unbelievable generosity. He is already dearly missed by his family, students and friends. He is preceded in death by his mother, father and sisters Elsie Swartwood and Lora Keaton. He is survived by his sister Carol, his brother and sister-in-law Byron and Nancy Lewis, and 17 nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held in Wickenburg on Saturday, March 8 at the First Southern Baptist Church, 360 W. Yavapai St. Donations in his memory may be made to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower St., Phoenix, AZ 85014 and/or the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, 3877 N. 7th St., Phoenix, AZ 85014.