Jerry Smith Lewis entered peacefully into rest on Friday, April 22, 2022, at the age of 87 years, 5 months and 4 days, at his home in DeRidder with his loving family by his side. Jerry was born on Sunday, Nov. 18, 1934, in DeRidder, La. to John S. Lewis Sr. and Casciel Smith Lewis.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, April 24, 2022, from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m., at Labby Memorial Funeral Home of DeRidder, La. Funeral services will be held Monday, April 25, 2022, with visitation starting at 12 p.m. and service to begin at 2 p.m., in the chapel with the Rev Laraine Waughtal, pastor of First United Methodist Church of DeRidder, officiating. Interment will follow at Lewis Cemetery in DeRidder with military honors conducted by the United States Army Honor Guard. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Labby Memorial Funeral Home of DeRidder.
Jerry retired after 43 years with the Civil Service as a Chief Planner and Estimator. Jerry was a veteran of the Korean War where he was stationed in Pusan, Korea. He served three years in the United States Army as a Master Hydro Mechanic and a Marksman Rifleman. He was a was an eagle scout, a lifelong member of The American Legion, a member of The Rotary Club, and a member of The First United Methodist Church of DeRidder. He enjoyed waterskiing, bird hunting, golf, playing and coaching baseball, he loved building things and always enjoyed a good high stakes card game. He had a love for Blue Bell Ice Cream and a good bowl of Rice Crispies with a full cup of sugar poured on top. But most of all he loved spending time with his grandkids, his wife, his three boys, and his lifelong childhood friend, Greg Cagle.
Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 58 years, Joyce Lewis of DeRidder; three sons, Scott Lewis and wife Amber of Fort Worth, Texas, Steven Lewis of Merryville; and Jeff Lewis and wife Lasa of Sugartown; 10 grandchildren, Tanner Lewis and wife Hali, Conner Lewis, Cameron Lewis, Victoria Lewis, Jackson Lewis, Kaylie Lewis, Kaleb Lewis, Lila Lewis, Lawson Lewis, and Jasper Lewis; two step-grandchildren, Charles Bowen, and Hailey Bowen; lifelong childhood best friend, Greg Cagle; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Preceded in death by his parents, John and Casciel Lewis; two brothers, John S. Lewis Jr., and Howard “Brud” Warren Lewis.
Those honored to serve as pallbearers are Joey Lewis, Rusty Lewis, Timothy Honea, Craig Ballard, Derick Ballard, and Joel Harris.
Those honored to serve as honorary pallbearers are Johnny Lewis, Greg Cagle, and Ted Hammerschmidt.
Words of comfort to the family may be shared at www.labbymemorial.com.