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Oliver Lewis Obituary
"OWL" was known to many by his ability to make new friends in every setting, his lightning-fast droll wit, the ever-present twinkle in his eye, his fascination with every single new technology, his booming melodious voice, and his profuse thoughtfulness. He was a proud University of Pennsylvania alum and GAO employee while simultaneously owning a consulting business and singing semi-professionally, but his greatest accomplishment was his close knit group of family and friends. Oliver was instantly the glue joining together any group of people he engaged. He delighted in making his children feel less cool by being in tune with pop culture and immediately aware of new trends. OWL found great joy and community singing with the Washington Performing Arts Gospel Choirs and especially the Washington Men's Camerata.
He is survived by his devoted wife Mary Ann Lewis, twins Nia Neuman and Joshua Lewis, godparents to his children Ernest Prather and Carolyn Burrell, close friend Richard Weis, nephew JJ Russell, godson Darrin Burrell, and bonus son and granddaughter Dan Neuman and Taylor "Abby" Neuman. Oliver was predeceased by his parents and sister Phaye.
As he was a lover of social media, written tributes may be posted to his Facebook wall. In his spirit we suggest giving a generous gift to someone who isn't expecting it, as Oliver did almost every day of his life. Donations may also be made in his memory to the National Museum of African American History and Culture, or the ACLU.
Currently OWL is regaling Jesus himself with his operatic rendition of Atomic Dog. We will miss him muchly, you see.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Ernest.
June 15, 2025
Happy Father's Day Oliver. I miss you so very much. You are my Bestie, and closest friend in the world. I think about you each and everyday. You're with me from the time my eyes open in every morning, until the time they close at night. I thank you for uplifting my spirt still when I don't know how I'm go to make it or what I'm supposed to do with each new day. You'll always be [MY BEST FRIEND, MENTOR, COACH, FATHER, ADVISOR, SPIRITUAL GURU, BROTHER, COMEDIAN, COOK, ROAD DOG, and so much more]. God Blessed me with you Oliver. Your Family. Your Friends. Thanks for sharing all that you had with me so long ago and still. Once again Happy Father's Day. Love you much, and I just heard you say Love you more. Ernest.
Ernie.
April 24, 2025
Hey Oliver. It's a little after 12:00am Friday April 25, 2025. I had you on my mind and wanted to say hello. I hope that you're doing ok. I sure miss having you around to talk to and share my crazy thoughts with. You always had away of making me laugh with your insane jokes and crazy remakes or one of your silly faces. I miss how we would always do the music game and you would win most of the time. I know you're still with me and will always be a part of my life as I will always be a part of yours. Hugs to you baby boy. Loving you always. Ernst.
Charlie Battista
March 1, 2025
I just learned from the Pennsylvania Gazette that Ollie had passed.
I sang with him in the Penn Glee Club and we stayed in touch via
Facebook. Wishing his family and friends Peace.
Errnest
December 31, 2024
Happy New Years Oliver. I miss you like crazy. I pray that God has blessed you in heaven for being one of his loyal and faithful angels. I watered your plants yesterday and their still growing. LOL. I played a Supremes song the other day called (You're Gone (But Always In My Heart) and I've dedicated it to you. Thank you in 2025 for the love you gave to my life. You will always be my loving and truly Best Friend.
Always Ernest
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William Kaffenberger
November 18, 2024
I was friends with Oliver at Wakefield High School in Arlington. We shared many classes together. We would have fun debates in Biology class as to who was better, The Byrds or The Supremes. Oliver stayed in touch with me on Facebook over the past few years. One of the genuinely nice guys that I remember from my high school years.
Tom Brantley
November 18, 2024
So appropriate that Oliver's Facebook picture was the "LOVE" sculpture. He was a friend in high school. We kept up with each other for a brief time after that, but then lost touch. I enjoyed learning more about him, decades later, through Facebook posts by him and those who knew him. He was one of the most thoughtful, kind, intelligent, caring, funny, friendly, and cheerful people I've ever known. My heartfelt condolences to his family and many friends.
Rev King
November 18, 2024
My prayers and condolences to the family. Oliver was an awesome classmate 1968 graduation class. A very gentle spirit.
ELTON FAULKNER
November 12, 2024
God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow. I met Oliver, a marvelous spirit, through my cousin Ernest Prather ~ Elton "Kip" Faulkner
Charles S Stanley
November 10, 2024
A Tribute to Oliver W Lewis On His Recent Passing
It shocked me and caught me off-guard to me to hear that Oliver had passed. Oliver, who loved to signed his initials as OWL, was a friend of mine. He was a good friend when both of us worked at GAO. He was an even better friend after both of us retired. We were friends on Facebook and we communicated that way frequently. At times we would talk on the phone and email or text one another. We would occasionally get together for lunch with a couple of our retired GAO friends and we would laugh, joke, and enjoy each other's company. It was always great to see one another. Oliver and I sent each other Christmas presents each for the last 5 or more years. It was our way of blessing one another and putting both mystery and surprise in each other's lives. I will miss Oliver. All the good things that I have seen written about Oliver are a testament his friendly and helpful nature. I am so glad that I met Oliver. I am even more glad that we were friends. Again, I emphasize that I will miss him, especially as time draws closer to the holiday season. I am sure that he is enjoying his "Forever Heavenly Reward". You, dear friend, made a lot of people happy and you were a blessing during your time here on earth.
Janice Freeman Willis
November 9, 2024
I first met Oliver in 1959 when we were in Mrs. Coggs 4th grade class at Hoffman-Boston Elementary School on Johnson Hill in Arlington, VA. He was kind and really cute. We became good friends. In 6th grade at Drew Annex, he was responsible for getting me in trouble on a number of occasions. While sitting at the desk next to mine, he would make jokes and funny comments while the teacher was talking. He was able to keep a straight face, but I could not restrain myself and would laugh out loud. I got called out and he would sit there looking studious like an angel. Then in 8th grade at Hoffman-Boston Jr. High, we took a French class together from Mrs. Bondurant. The class was so challenging for us that we decided to take an aspirin every day before class. The tricky part was passing the aspirin bottle back and forth without getting caught, and then chewing the aspirin without water while trying not to make a face. One day we almost got caught and decided it wasn't worth it. At Wakefield High School, Oliver, Carolyn, and I tried out for a talent show. We were supposed to sing, "If I had a Hammer", by Peter, Paul, and Mary. However, I couldn't seem to hit the right song note and we didn't make the cut. From then on, he called me "Bird" (because he thought I sounded like a bird when I sang), and it is a name he called me for the rest of his life. In college, he invited me and Carolyn to the University of Pennsylvania to meet Mary. He was so in love with her and they were so happy together. I had never seen him like that before. When I got married in 1978, Oliver sang "Ave Maria" at my wedding at Northeastern Presbyterian Church in Washington, D.C. He sang it beautifully and it added such an air of sophistication. When the twins, Joshua and Nia, were born, I attended a baby shower for them. Two of everything. They were the happiest Mommy and Daddy! I sent Oliver 2 emoji Teddy Bears for the twins on his last birthday, September 19th. He thanked me for them, and responded that he was tired, but hanging in there. I had no idea that in a little over a month, he would leave us. Oliver was kind and generous beyond words! If he discerned that I was having a rough time, he would send a Harry & David Gift Basket, full of goodies to cheer me up. I am thankful for the good times we shared. I will miss my friend.
Mary, Joshua, and Nia: There are no words to express the loss you must feel. Take one day at a time. Trust that God will see you through this. Oliver Wendell Lewis left you plenty of love and fond memories to help you carry on with your lives. Love, grace, and peace from Jan Willis in Keller, Texas.
Jim Mastracco
November 5, 2024
I sadly looked for this obituary, and upon finding it scrolled down, only to see that my friend had his arm around me. He was always 'styling'. As the day has been awash of memories of conversations and singing shared, seeing that picture, I'm compelled to share the sound of his voice. Oliver was one of four basses that were a part of a small group singing at Bradley Hills Presbyterian for a Sunday service. If you can't hear him, you're not listening close enough. He's all over this. He was all we needed. Salvation Is Created. OWL embodied the salt of the earth. Love to his wife and family. https://forjustonevet.dreamhosters.com/Acoustician/Washington%20Men's%20Camerata%20-Spaseniye%20Sodelal.mp3
Francese Brooks
November 5, 2024
We sang together in the Sounds of Symmetry under the direction of Ardith Arnell and then of Alece Howard Lewis. He always had a kind word, a hug, and that infectious smile. And boy, could he sing! He also supported my massage therapy business by gifting my service to a friend. We would see each other on the concert circuit and he was always warm, welcoming, loving, demonstrative... Oh Ollie! I've admired and loved you for a long time. Do say hi to my mom, for me; won't you? Till we meet again.
DANIEL NEUMAN
November 5, 2024
Truly one of the best people God created. I cant wait to see him again. He could not possibly be missed more.
Jeff Sich
November 4, 2024
Fond memories of my ten seasons in the base section of the Washington Men's Camerata with Oliver. A special friend to each on of usm
Chris Yim
November 4, 2024
Oliver was an exceedingly kind and caring person who went out of his way to demonstrate thoughtfulness to all. I will deeply miss him and am thankful for his friendship.
Lenor Reese
November 4, 2024
He was instrumental in me being hired in the Federal government. He and my husband were neighbors and classmates. We kept in touch through the years. Though we did not see each other often, our conversations picked up where we left off during our last conversation. Oliver will indeed be missed.
Washington Men's Camerata
November 4, 2024
His voice will ring on in the hearts of all those who sang alongside him and listened to his performances.
Linda Kemp
November 3, 2024
My last photo of Oliver taken outside St. Timothy´s Church in DC where we attended the service for a mutual friend on July 16. I was so very glad to see him and I thought he looked so handsome with his shaved head and classy attire. I know he didn´t feel 100 percent but he was putting himself out there as usual to bring joy to another. He always put family and friends first often to his own detriment. I will miss him so! Our loss is God´s gain. To me he was an angel on earth. Rest in peace Oliver! Thank you for all the love over the years.
Linda K.
Ernest Prather
November 3, 2024
Love you baby boy. Ernesto
Ernest
November 2, 2024
To my best, best, best, buddy Oliver. I asked the question of my family, what do you do when the music just ends. I was told the music never ends. Love you always and forever Oliver. Ernest.
AJeffrey LaValley
November 1, 2024
My condolences and prayers to the entire family and community that loved him.
Nia Neuman
November 1, 2024
My Dad gave me a love of music, a sense of humor, an understanding of people, and so, so much joy. I am terribly lucky to have known him and I will miss him always.
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