Charles J Lewis

A memorial service is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 27 at the Twentynine Palms Airport for Charles J. “Charlie” Lewis, 85, who died Jan. 6, 2007, after a relatively short battle with cancer.  Born in Ontario, he attended local schools and graduated from Chaffey Junior College in 1941.

Unable to enlist in the U.S. Navy after Pearl Harbor due to working in the aircraft industry, he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1944, where he served with the 158th Regimental Combat Team, known as the “Bushmasters.”  Mr. Lewis received a Purple Heart medal for wounds he received in the liberation of the Philippines in 1945.

In 1946, he married the former Mary Etta McMakin.  After the war, he worked as a mechanic for the National Guard and served in Korea with the 224th Infantry Regimental Combat Team. He also worked at Roy’s Garage in Ontario and Western Moldings in Ontario and Upland until retiring. After retirement, the Lewises made their home in Yucca Valley.

After Mrs. Lewis’ death in 2003, he moved Twentynine Palms to work as airport caretaker. He loved aircraft of all types and especially loved soaring in his glider.

Mr. Lewis is survived by his children, Kenn (Edith) and Linda; and grandchildren, Gordon, John, Sara, Robert and Amy; great-grandchildren, Trevor, Daniele, Brandi Tyler, Chase, Tanner, Tori, William and Molly; and sisters-in-law, Juanita, Clair (Edward) and Frankie. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Mr. Lewis’ name to the 29 Palms Soaring Club via the Twentynine Palms Airport or to the givers’ favorite charity.