L. David Lewis

L. David Lewis Jan. 31, 1945 - Jan. 11, 2006 Dr. L. David Lewis, 60, died peacefully at his Anderson home on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2006, after a year-long battle with cancer. A former Anderson University professor, department chairman and program administrator, he retired in 2004 as president and chief executive officer of Overseas Council International, a global Christian ministry based in Indianapolis. He was a native of Sikeston, MO, and a 1967 graduate of Anderson College. He earned a master of divinity degree from Asbury Theological Seminary in 1970 and Ph.D. from the University of Chicago's Divinity School in 1979. He was ordained to the ministry of the Church of God in 1971 and served in various leadership positions at churches in Kentucky, Alabama, Florida, Missouri and Indiana. He joined the faculty of Anderson University in 1978 and for 20 years taught classes in both the Department of Bible and Religion and the Department of History and Political Science. He also was active in his family's business as co-owner of Lewis Furniture Co. and Kingsway Furniture Store in Missouri. During his academic career and his years of service with Overseas Council International, he traveled extensively. He led faculty and student groups to the Far East, Africa, Australia, Central America, South America and Europe and was a delegate at several World Conferences of the Church of God. He was an active member of the Church at the Crossing, Indianapolis, where he taught Sunday school and served as chairman of the missions task force. He previously attended Park Place Church of God and served that congregation as chairman of the church council and as a Sunday school teacher. Dr. Lewis is survived by his wife of 39 years, Margaret (Watson); a daughter, Dr. Stephanie Williams (Richard), of Denver, CO; a son, Christopher (Sarah), of Indianapolis; grandchildren: George Williams of Denver; and Clayton, Jason and Alexandra Lewis of Indianapolis; a brother, Donald, of Columbia, MO; and a sister, Marilyn Moll, of San Antonio, Texas. Visitation is Saturday, January 14, from 3:00-5:00 p.m. and 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Park Place Church of God, 501 College Drive, Anderson. Services will be conducted at Park Place Church of God on Sunday evening, January 15 at 7:00 p.m. with visitation one hour before the service. Burial will be on Tuesday, January 17 in Sikeston, MO. Memorial contributions may be sent to the Lewis KIST Development Fund, Church at the Crossing, 9111 Haverstick Road, Indianapolis, IN 46240.