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John Lewis Obituary
LANSING, MI: John "Thunder" Lewis, Jr. Age 81, passed away March 22, 2016. He was born May 24, 1934, in Fremont, OH, son of the late John Lewis, Sr. and Blondelle Jackson.
John proudly served in the U.S. Army. He was a graduate of MSU where he played football and caught the winning touchdown in the 1955-56 Rose Bowl game. He served on the board of directors of the Lansing Area Federal Credit Union for 24 years, as well as on the Lansing Fire Board for years. He worked for 44 years at GM in labor relations. John was inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame at Ross High School in Fremont, OH. He was a member of the Delta Lions Club, and was a longstanding member of Trinity A.M.E. Church in Lansing, where he served with the Sons of Allen.
He is survived by his children, Lorna (Lee) McKinstry, John Lewis III, Desiree Lewis, DaLaney Lewis, Derrick J. Lewis and Dante Lewis; 16 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; special niece, Tracy Bulger; special sister-in-law, Moreen K. Jacobs; and a host of nieces, nephews and other extended family members. He was preceded in death by his wife, Gloria J. Lewis and his sister, Mary Almeda Bulger.
The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 29, 2016, at Trinity A.M.E. Church, 3500 W. Holmes Rd., Lansing. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery in Lansing. His family will receive friends from 2-8 p.m. on Monday at the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Delta Lions Club or a charity of one's choice. Online condolences may be left for John's family at www.EstesLeadley.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Lewis
Sponsored by Estes-Leadley Funeral Home - Lansing.
Susan Henderson
March 18, 2024
Even though I moved from the area, back in 2015, when I go by I always think of you, John miss you always your neighbor for many years
Susan Henderson
March 18, 2023
Even though I moved a few years back, John was such a wonderful neighbor and a friend and he was just a nice person. I will always miss him and his wonderful smile. The neighborhood is not the same anymore even though I don´t live there any longer.
Mattie Frazier - Bacon
April 2, 2016
So very sorry to hear of John's passing. My family were neighbors to the family many years ago. He was about 5 yrs. old and we lived on Bidwell St. I also remember his sister whom we called "Polly" . We were the "Frazier Family" then. Now there are only 2 of us sitll living. Both in Toledo OH.
May God take care of your family in your time of bereavement.
An old neighbor
Margenia Carew
April 1, 2016
To the family I send my deepest condolences. God bless you all. From margenia Carew, daughter of Richard Carew and Haroldine Nichols.
Jay held
March 31, 2016
John, I am so sorry to here of your Father's passing. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
March 29, 2016
To the family of John "Thunder" Lewis:
This afternoon 7 members of the Lansing Delta Lions Club and 3 members of the Delta Lioness Club returned from a beautiful funeral service for your father, grandfather and great grandfather. What a tribute to him that the church was packed with so many friends to celebrate with you his life.
We know that he has departed from this earth and has arrived to be with his wife and all the deceased members of the family.
We certainly enjoyed the time working with John on many Lions' projects. The time was only too short. We will never forget his laugh and big smile.
The GO GREEN GO WHITE at the cemetery was just the best. We know that "Thunder" was yelling with the rest of us.
GOD BLESS TO ALL THE FAMILY!!!
Bob Thorburn, Secretary
Lansing Delta Lions Club
March 29, 2016
Big John, as most of us called him. Not only for his physical appearance, but for the size of his heart. He was a man who most of us at GM could rely on, for sound advice. One of our GM legends will be missed.
Joe Lopez
Patricia Robinson
March 29, 2016
Des, Dalaney, Derrick, Dontae and the rest of the family. I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Mr. Lewis. I've known him all of my life and he was one of the most involved father's that I ever met. He will be truly missed but his legacy lives on in all of his beautiful children and grands.
In deepest sympathy,
Dick and Carol Hoffman
March 29, 2016
Dear family of Mr. Lewis, our hearts go out to you all and we ask Our Dear Lord to give you comfort and peace at the time of this loss. Think on all the good memories you have had with him.
Amy Fountain
March 29, 2016
I am praying for your family. We all go back a very long way, and many have gone before us. You were always such a kind man as you taught your sons to be. To the family: i pray for the peace and comfort in your hearts that only God can give.
March 28, 2016
Lorna and John,
I never met your dad, but he must have been a special man to have fathered two special people like you. May God give you extra comfort during this time of great loss.
Sincerely,
Carol Miller
Samuel Nealy
March 27, 2016
Irreplaceable. It was always a pleasure to see John. Shocked and saddened to hear of his passing. My condolences to his family and friends.
Peggy Vaughn-Payne
March 27, 2016
Mr. Lewis, known as "Big John" to all of the volunteers who've gathered for many years to pack supplemental food kits for hungry children in our community through the "Weekend Survival Backpack Program". The Delta Lion's Club was a great supporter of this collaboration between NorthWest Initiative, Michigan State University Extention, the Greater Lansing Food Bank, and Many Hands MI. We will greatly miss his "larger than life" presence at the Hill Center where we held our backpack assemblies. Our condolences to his family and thank you for sharing him with us!
Bill & Sue Nees
March 27, 2016
A very great man has entered eternal life where he will share stories with great humor and thunderous laughter. Sue still tells a story of she and John on a recruiting trip and she laughs all the while telling of her adventure on this trip. John was a great collegue and friend. May you rest in peace and tell your stories to your Maker. We will miss you!
Frank McClain
March 26, 2016
I will miss a great and good man. John did a lot to help many people including myself. He was a perfect example of what it meant to stand up for the little guy. He did it in his work and in his personal life. "GOD BLESS" your beautiful soul John, and your wonderful family!
Tim Grabenstetter
March 26, 2016
Lorna, John & Sarah;
Your family is in our thoughts and prayer during this difficult loss, we extend our most sincere condolences to you.
Tim & Theresa Grabenstetter
March 26, 2016
I was saddened to learn of John's death. He was a great friend! When he was the Labor Relations Rep. at Plant #2, and I served as Chairman of the Shop Committee for the Union, we forged an outstanding working relationship that resulted in the creation and development of many innovative programs that went on to serve as a foundation for similar activities throughout General Motors.
He had a tremendous sense of humor. He was a man of integrity and character. He will be missed!
John Fisher
Sunfield, MI
Karon (Tolhurst) Chrzan
March 26, 2016
Dear Lorna and family: I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your father. Even though I did not know him or ever meet him, from the condolences I have read about him, he sounds like he was a truly wonderful person and God loving man. Know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. I am sure he is in heaven rejoicing with all of the loved ones who have gone on before. I did call Sandy (Shaffer) Barnes and told her about your dad passing. Hold on to all of those wonderful memories you have of him. May you feel God's presence with you at this time.
God Bless You,
Karon (Tolhurst) Chrzan
Larry Gundy
March 26, 2016
Lorna,
So sorry to learn about your dad. May your heavenly Father provide His presence and protection.
Phil. 4:13
Keri Crippin
March 26, 2016
Dear family, Even though I can't be there during this time of grieving for the loss of a great man, father, uncle ,brother and friend to everyone whose life he touch over his lifetime. I want you to know that I am praying for each of you. I pray for peace, comfort, caring and love that will be given and expressed by those around you near and far. I wish I could give each of you a hug individually. I have been thinking back to all of the great memories and all the laughter that we shared as a family. It is times like these that enable people to really come together as a community to love one another and realize how small our world really is. Our life on this earth is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away. I hope you can look back on those moments and that they will sustain you during this time. I send my love to all of you!
Richard Phelan
March 26, 2016
So very sad, a great loss to the community. He was one of my favorite Oldsmobile people. My sincere condolence to the family.
Vanessa (Pugh) Beasley
March 26, 2016
My condolences to the family. I am so sorry for your loss.
Bettye Thomas-Gilkey
March 25, 2016
Thunder, I found you to be such a kind, humble and gentle man from the moment we met at Gregorys Karaoke on Monday nights. I will miss your beautiful smile and hearing you sing, "First Time Ever I Saw Your Face!"
Josi Hernandez
March 25, 2016
Sorry for your loss, John give Gloria a hug for me and the girls . Love you guys
Kim Viculin
March 25, 2016
A great Spartan, and a nice man. Met him a couple of times back in the day; always in a good mood, and very personable. Sincere condolences to his family.
Bertha Louise Torgerson
March 25, 2016
I have always been proud to be a Ross High graduate, but BIG THUNDER made it even more special. I was 1600 miles from Fremont when he made the Rose Bowl TD. I like to think they heard me in Fremont. My condolences to his family and friends. John was a very special man.
March 25, 2016
I enjoyed many years of GM with Him. He always was thinking about & sometimes for others. I will miss running into Him. A Big man with a HEART to match.
Bernard Risdon
March 25, 2016
I was fortunate to know thunder for 40 years as a colleague and a friend. He was a man of strength, wisdom and humor. I will miss him as will many many others. Rest in peace big guy
Scott McClure
March 25, 2016
A true Fremont Ross and Michigan State legend has been lost. My sincere sympathies go out to the families and friends of a truly great man. Rest in peace Big Thunder, you'll be missed.
March 25, 2016
To The John Lewis Jr. Family,
May God be with each of you in this time of sorrow. I will always remember John's kind voice at church and the funny comments he would make. I will miss him.
Hazel Outlaw
Lansing, MI
Bill Burkett
March 25, 2016
John & Lorna,
I want to express my sympathy regarding the death of your father. I know you are very proud of him and will miss him.
Linda Mosser
March 25, 2016
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Edward Schultz
March 25, 2016
To John and Lorna
With Deepest Sympathy
In your time of sorrow may it ease your pain to know that others are thinking of you.
Associated Buyers Employees and Their Families
Edward, Sandra and Donald L.Schultz
Wayne Renfroe
March 25, 2016
Prayer for the family in their time of grief. I will remember that smile which seemed to be always there.
Keith & Michelle Cummings
March 25, 2016
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief. -
mike koebel
March 25, 2016
A true fremont ledgend big thunder will always be remembered. Most sincere sympathy to the family
Rick Wolf
March 25, 2016
John,
My condolences over the loss of your father. When we were kids growing up, I thought your dad was the biggest guy in town. May he rest in peace.
Joe Watts
March 24, 2016
My deepest sympathies are with you and your family during this trying time. I knew Mr. Lewis as a coach with the Blackhawks. He always tried to encourage and motivate his players to be the best that they could be. I also attended Dwight Rich with Dante, and knew him pretty welll; Mr. Lewis will be sorely missed.
Aaron Williams
March 24, 2016
Love you.
Jill Burgess
March 24, 2016
I worked with John for many years at GM. You could always depend on John to be there for you. He was down to earth, always had a smile on his face, and loved life. He took time for people and mentored so many. I know he will be missed greatly by his family and his many friends. Thoughts and prayers go out to the family. God Bless.
charlene fisher
March 24, 2016
Uncle John -Cousin John,
How blessed we were to have you in our lives. We love you and will never forget all the good times, we the Lewis family had together.
We Love You Man!!!
Charlene, Janie, Barbara, Sammy, Debbie and Ronda
Sam Davis
Katherine Rosechild (Gibson)
March 24, 2016
Mr. Lewis and the Lewis kids were our next door neighbors on Lenawee Street back in the 70s. Wonderful man, wonderful family. So sorry for your loss, my deepest condolences.
Paul Bates
March 24, 2016
Donte and Family,
My hearts and prayers go out to you during this trying times.
Reggie and Marsha George
March 24, 2016
Mr and Mrs Reggie would your family is in are prayers may God comfort and strengthen and give family peace in this time..
Doris Taylor
March 24, 2016
I will miss John ("Thunder") on Karaoke Night at Gregory's singing "I Did It My Way" by Frank Sinatra.
I loved that song & I loved hearing him sing it.
Rest in Peace Thunder.
Love Ya'
Doris Taylor
Lansing, MI
Susan Henderson
March 24, 2016
He was my neighbor until I moved last year! When my husband died almost 3 years ago now, John called me and told me I can call him anytime and especially if I need something! My heart is so heavy right now! When I was getting ready to move, he gave me the biggest hug and told me to come and visit him! He will be sorely missed!
Susan Henderson
[email protected]
Brett Bulock
March 24, 2016
John was a friend and coworker.You will be missed.
TRACEY LONG
March 24, 2016
DEEPEST CONDOLENCES TO THE LEWIS FAMILY. MR JOHN " THUNDER " LEWIS IS A GIANT AMONGST MERE MORTAL MEN. UPON HIS REFERRAL I GOT HIRED INTO G. M. 30 YRS AGO. THSNK YOU FOR THE EXPERT ADVICE OVER THE YEARS. HE INSPIRED, MOTIVATED & LEAD COUNTLESS PEOPLE. A GREAT HUSBAND & FATHER. LEADER IN OUR COMMUNITY, BUSINESS AREA & CHURCH. A LEGENDARY SPORT ICON. THANKS DAD FOR YOUR TIRELESS EFFORTS ON ALL FRONTS. #SALUTE
Bobby Wilcox
March 24, 2016
At times life really hurts. This is one of them. Loved watching big 87 doing his thing on the football field for the Green and White. Enjoyed contacts with him later on doing blood drives at Oldsmobile. You couldn't know John without liking him. People like him leave a forever impression on you. Now this life is a little emptier with his departure. With a sad heart I send out prayers to all of his family, and a special prayer for his memory.
Rebecca Lewis
March 24, 2016
Peace be with you all at this time, God speed John Thunder Lewis Jr.
Lori Lynch
March 24, 2016
I am so very sorry to hear of your families loss. Mr. Lewis was a kind, wonderful man. I will be keeping you all in my prayers. God blesd.
Roger Geyman
March 24, 2016
To John's family, He was a great classmate and a
tremendous athlete.
John was respected by all and treated everyone
as a friend.
He was always at the class reunions.
A classmate,
Charlotte Kerr
March 24, 2016
His locker was next to mine our freshman year at Fremont Ross High. What a nice guy he was! Prayers to your family.
Art Heslet
March 24, 2016
To THUNDER's family, I was very fortunate to have been a classmate and teammate.. I was not a starter on our team, but John respected all of us as equals, he continued that thru his lifetime, always remembering home and his roots. I will miss him Andy heartfelt condolences to the family.
Micky Hardin
March 24, 2016
I knew John the entire time I worked at G.M. He was a great man. Everyone respected your Dad. He had a great sense of humor. He was one person I always felt comfortable going to for advice. I hope the memories of your Dad will always put a smile on your face. I know they will me. Micky Hardin
Allen Kimmel
March 24, 2016
So sorry to hear of John's passing. Worked with and known John for many years. He was my labor rep at GM, and I always respected his help and advice. He will be missed at our GM breakfast gatherings. He was always a joy to be around. May God wrap his arms around all his family and friends at their time of grief. RIP my friend.
Kathy , Jackson Stevenson
March 24, 2016
Lorna and John, and family, so sorry for your loss.
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Estes-Leadley Funeral Home - Lansing325 W Washtenaw St., Lansing, MI 48933
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