Joseph Lewis

1928 - 2016

Merced High School and Merced College history instructor, husband, father, and grandfather Joseph Lewis became a part of history on November 24, 2016. Born in 1928 to Justina and William Lewis in Hollister, Joe was fascinated by books, history, military tactics, and radio serials. He studied at Gavilan College and graduated with Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Stanford while serving in the National Guard 149th AAA Batallion. In graduate school, Joe student taught at Sequoia High School in Redwood City. His first job as a credentialed teacher was at Armijo High School in Fairfield. He later taught history and coached track at Merced High School. On the day John F. Kennedy was elected president, Joe first met Mary, the woman who would become his wife. Mary and Joseph married in July 1961 and later welcomed their children Scott, Christa, Jeff, and Ann into their family.  In 1965 Joe taught his first Merced College history class in a taco stand at the fair grounds, the college's temporary, initial location. At the college's present M Street location, Joe taught history until 1998.
Joe spent his life cherishing his family, treasuring books, lecturing about history, the Constitution, and political science at the family dinner table, reliving historic battles, reveling in current events – especially politics, singing off-key, pacing and rejoicing in oatmeal cookies and malaprops.
Joe was predeceased by his parents and daughter-in-law Patty. He is survived by his wife Mary, children Scott, Christa, Jeff (Elizabeth), and Ann (Charles), grandchildren Benjamin, Ella, and Lila, cousins Helen Matulich, Mary Ellen Renz, and John Wahl, and lessons shared with thousands of Mercedian students.
The family expresses gratitude to the staff at Merced Nursing and Rehabilitation and Hinds Hospice for their attentive care.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the library of your choice. 
Services will be held at Our Lady of Mercy Church, 435 West 21st St., Merced, on December 10th, with a rosary at 10:00 a.m. and mass at 10:30.   Burial will take place at Calvary Cemetery in Hollister at a later date.
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