Gene Lewis

February 22, 1936 - May 2, 2015

Gene Lewis 2/22/36 5/2/15 Gene Lewis (aka Cecil Vaude deVille), 79, died May 2, 2015, following a long illness. Best known and loved as an entertainer on and off stage, Vaude was a prolific writer, singer, actor, director, comedian, and perpetrator of corny puns. His family and many friends will remember him for his kindness, generosity, humor, energy, and devoted care-giving. For over 20 years, he contributed his many talents to Wrinkles of Washington, a variety-show performance group raising money for Senior Services for South Sound. Vaude was also a long-time contributor to Thurston County Television, serving as a board member, producer, and director. Born Eugene H. Levendoski, he was known as "Red" to high school classmates in Chesterton, Indiana. As Gene Lewis, he was a Seattle DJ in the late fifties, and a newsman at radio station KFRB in Fairbanks, Alaska in the early sixties. During 8 years with KTNT in Tacoma, he served as news director and won broadcast journalism awards for on-the-spot reporting and for his news commentary. He later founded Community Media Services, a communications consulting, training, and production company he ran for over ten years. In his spare time, Gene enjoyed acting and theatrical pursuits of all kinds. "Vaude deVille" was a character he created for a televised puppet show, and a friend remarked that the flamboyant puppet seemed to be his alter ego. Indeed it was, and in 2000 he legally adopted the name to embrace his passion for the stage. Vaude is preceded in death by his wife of 23 years, Judith McCarthy, who passed away in February. He is survived by his children from two previous marriages, Joe Lewis, Steve Lewis, and Janine Timko, as well as four grandchildren. A celebration of Vaude's life will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, May 30, 2015, at the Lacey Senior Center at 6757 Pacific Ave SE, Lacey WA 98503. Guests are invited to bring light snacks for a potluck buffet.