CARYLYN LEWIS

1930 - 2018

Carylyn Becker Lewis passed away on April 12th, 2018 at the age of 88 peacefully in her sleep. Carylyn is survived by her husband of 31 years Bob Lewis. Carylyn was born in Denver on February 22, 1930 with her identical twin sister, Marylyn. Her parents were Charles E. and Winifred Becker. She resided in San Antonio, Texas and Springfield, Illinois before returning to Denver in 1960. Carylyn attended The Hockaday School in Dallas, Texas and Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. She was a member of Cherry Hills Country Club and the Junior League. A native of Colorado, Carylyn enjoyed the outdoors - skiing, camping, horseback riding, hunting, fishing and hiking. Carylyn is predeceased by son Mark M. King, son-in-law J. Daniel Bell, and former husband John McCandish King, and is survived by her three children: John M. King IV, Carylyn K. Dooley and Sally K. Rogers; survived by her sons-in-law Mike Dooley and Bruce L. Rogers; daughter-in-law Brenda K. King; John's girlfriend Debbie Marko Salinger; her nine grandchildren Henry Daniel Bell and his wife Heather, Kathleen B. Buck and her husband Jacob, Caitlyn B. Van Valin and her husband Luke, Ian G. Bell, Madison A. Rogers, Michael M. King, Layton B. Rogers, Chase C. Rogers and Colton M. King, and her three great-grandchildren Lochryn Van Valin, Raegan Buck, and Mac Van Valin. She also is survived by 9 nieces and nephews, and by Carylyn's Lewis family members. Carylyn was a longtime resident of first Cherry Hills Village and then Centennial, Colorado. She loved living at her homes in Tabernash, Colorado and in Arizona. She and Bob enjoyed their many travels throughout the world but most of all their time with their 6 children, 13 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. A faithful believer, she is undoubtedly enjoying her new home. Carylyn was active in many significant business and philanthropic activities, including the creation of Denver Hospice, board member of The Colorado Corporation, and board member/active volunteer of The Denver Zoo. Furthermore, through Carylyn's administrative and financial contributions of the King Foundation, she made possible the building of the Feline and Monkey Houses of The Denver Zoo. Carylyn was also an active contributor to a wide variety of religious programs. Carylyn continued her philanthropic role as the Hostess for the prelaunch Apollo Space Program Galas attended by Charles Lindberg as the Key Note Speaker, Cary Grant, Werner Von Braun, astronauts including: Neal Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, Wally Schirra, Frank Borman, political figures and numerous celebrities. In 1962, Carylyn was the hostess of a fundraising dinner for candidate John Love for Governor at her home, which included over 300 guests. The dinner was attended by and honored President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Additionally, Carylyn attended the 1968 GOP Convention, was a guest of President Nixon at the White House, she helped open Osaka, Japan Expo in 1970 with her then husband Ambassador John King. Congressman Gerald R. Ford was the weekend guest at her Vail home when he got the call to become Vice President from President Richard M Nixon. Carylyn was a regal and beautiful presence in so many lives. A Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, April 25th, 2018 at 1:30 in the Afternoon at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 8035 South Quebec Street, Centennial, Colorado with a Reception and Celebration of Carylyn's Life to follow at Cherry Hills Country Club. In lieu of flowers donations to the Denver Hospice would be appreciated.