Jerry Blaine Lewis

Jerry Blaine Lewis
Jerry Lewis often boasted, "I never raised children but I have a beautiful stepdaughter, a son-in-law who likes me, and three amazing grandsons!"
Born in Kansas City to Emmor and Mary Lewis (née Brown), Jerry was proud of being an Eagle Scout, his degrees from the University of Kansas and UCLA, and his commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army. But he was, by far, the most proud of being a grandfather. Jerry died on Friday, July 12, 2024, in Birmingham, Michigan.
As a member of Ford Motor Company's Finance Staff, Jerry worked in many areas of the Company, including the Treasurer's Office, Manufacturing, Corporate Strategy, Audit Operations, and Ford Parts and Service Division. He spent two years at Ford Brazil where he learned Portuguese. From that position he traveled throughout the Far East and Europe. In later years he and his wife Lassie spent months at a time in France where they made many friends.
Wherever Jerry worked at Ford, he formed strong friendships. He became a trusted confidant of J. Edward Lundy, head of Ford's finance organization, and Arjay Miller, former President of Ford. They were among the famous "Whiz Kids" hired by Henry Ford II in 1946 and credited with saving Ford Motor Company. Both men stayed in close contact with Jerry throughout their lives.
During every assignment at Ford, Jerry developed a reputation for offering stock tips at the lunch table. He left Ford in 1990 and formed a successful boutique investment firm. Later he served on the Board of Directors for Mutual Funds at J.P. Morgan Chase.
Jerry reveled in spending time with his grandsons. In their opinion he would have won any contest for the world's most attentive, most fun, most thoughtful, and most loving grandpa. He did everything with Ben, Liam and Colin, teaching them countless valuable lessons, including how to simply "hang out". He felt they should be exposed to the country, so nine years in a row he took the family to a dude ranch in Montana where he reveled in watching the boys participate in a variety of rodeo events and develop proficiency in horseback riding.
Jerry Lewis loved people. From the time he was a small child and throughout his life, he seemed to devote himself to the welfare and happiness of others. He took pleasure in doing favors for family, friends, and strangers. Merchants, restaurant servers, bank tellers, valets, and dry cleaners were always delighted to see him, not only for his enthusiastic way of greeting them but also because he showed genuine interest in their lives and in their families. A friend once asked, "What is it about Jerry? He's always doing something for someone. It's as if he wants to put his "Arms Around the World!" That comment inspired his wife to document Jerry's good deeds over a six-month period; during that time, he performed a meaningful service for family friends, or strangers virtually every day.
When Jerry made friends, they were friends for life. He had a genius for forming groups of friends, or joining an existing group and quickly becoming the group's leader. With sporting clays as a hobby, he organized excursions throughout the United States and in Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Uruguay - as well as fishing trips to the Amazon and Costa Rica. One of his greatest pleasures was introducing his friends to each other. As a break from his work as an investment advisor, he began going each morning to a local Birmingham coffee shop, and gradually was joined by automobile executives, engineers, lawyers, judges, doctors, local business owners, and anyone else who decided to sit at the table. The group eventually numbered more than 75, resulting in friendships that continue to grow and thrive.
Jerry is survived by his wife Lassie Marie Lewis (née Slusher), his stepdaughter Amy (Stephen) Olson, his grandsons Benjamin, Liam and Colin Olson, his brother William (Susie) Lewis, his closest friend G. Robert Lesser, M.D., and his devoted friend and caregiver, Thomas Hafner. Jerry was close to his brothers-in-law David (Carolyn) Slusher and Arnold (Kathleen) Slusher and his sister-in-law Ruby Wilson.
Jerry was devoted to his 12 nephews and nieces and went to great lengths to stay close to them: William (Janet) Lewis; Thomas (Danielle) Lewis; and Laura Lewis; Lana Wilson; Raymond (Lainey) Wilson; Andrew (Karen) Wilson; Jared (Carrie) Wilson; Rachel (Jesus) Vega; Catherine Slusher; William (Catherine) Slusher; Julie Slusher; and Bradford (Brooke) Slusher.
Jerry is survived by his beloved great nieces and nephews: Jessica, Andrew, Emelia, Hannah, Sidney, Nickolas, Liam, Luke, Vaughn, Lara, Kayla, Olivia, Emmery, Noah, Lexi, Jared, and Matthew. Great-grand nieces and nephew are Elora, Greyson, Brynnleigh and Maiella.
Jerry was predeceased by his parents and by his sister Linda (Gene) Chartier.
Funeral services will be held for Jerry on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at the West Bloomfield United Methodist Church at 4100 Walnut Lake Road in West Bloomfield, MI 48323.
Friends wishing to honor Jerry are encouraged to make a contribution to The Village Club Foundation (190 East Long Lake Road, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304) or to the West Bloomfield United Methodist Church (address above).