John Jacob Lewis

MADISON - John Jacob Lewis, age 90, passed away on Thursday, November 16, 2006, at the Ellen and Peter Johnson HospiceCare Residence. He was born on October 29, 1916, the son of John Bassett Lewis and Edna (Torgeson) Lewis. He grew up in the Greenbush neighborhood of Madison and graduated from Madison West High School. A World War II veteran, John joined the Marine Corps in May 1942. He served with honor and distinction in the Pacific, notably at Henderson Field on Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands. Assigned to the Wolf Pack Marine Fighter Squadron after being trained as an aircraft mechanic, John was among the ground crews at Henderson Field who braved enemy fire to keep the Corsairs and Wildcats flying during the six-month battle for the island. The Allied victory at Guadalcanal in February 1943 is considered the turning point in the Pacific War. He was called back into service in 1950 during the Korean conflict. Upon his return from military service, John worked at Harry S. Manchester’s Department Store until his retirement. John is survived by his wife of 60 years, Jean (Stehr) Lewis; three children, Linda Lewis (Jan Anderson); John Lewis (Rhonda); and Mark Lewis (Tanyia Fleming); one grandchild, Amber Lewis; his sister, Harriett Jenks; sisters-in-law Louise (Stehr) Tesch and Eunice Lewis; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, Douglas and Phillip. A private family graveside service with full military honors will be held at Forest Hill Cemetery, Madison on Monday, November 20, at 1:30 p.m. Friends may call at the home of Linda and Jan Anderson, 833 Sauk Ridge Trail, Madison, from 3:30-5:30 p.m. on Monday. The family would like to thank the excellent nurses and staff at the Veterans Administration Hospital for their care and compassion during John’s many stays in the last 8 months. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Ellen and Peter Johnson HospiceCare Residence.