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Leonard Nolan Lewis, of Blanchard, passed from this life Wednesday June 10, 2020 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He had just been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
Leonard was born January 3, 1948 in Gallup, New Mexico to Cecil Harvey Lewis and Lila Lee Brown Lewis. His twin brother Leland preceded him by 3 minutes, making him the fourth of what would become eight children in the family. Leonard grew up in Ramah, New Mexico between the Navajo and Zuni Reservations. Farm chores were part of life for him and his family. Often no running water and the outhouse with a Sears catalog and a wood stove were the norm.
In 1963, his parents relocated to Anchorage, Alaska. He attended junior and senior high school there graduating from East Anchorage High School in 1966. As a young man he enjoyed baseball, volleyball, and basketball. He began work as a bag boy/stocker at Safeway on 9th and Gamble St. in Anchorage when he was sixteen. He earned enough money to buy a motorcycle and eventually a 1957 Chevy. Cars became a life-long love of his.
Leonard joined the Air Force July 3, 1967. He did his basic training at Lackland A.F.B Texas. His first assignment was at Beale A.F.B California. He was a mechanic in a pit crew for one of the local racers while he lived there. He married Eva Adams in October 1967. In 1972, he transferred to Elmendorf A.F.B. in Anchorage, Alaska. In 1975, he was discharged from the Air Force and went to work Civil Service at the base. He moved to Eagle River, a town outside of Anchorage, after his discharge. He and Eva divorced in 1982.
Leonard would build a comfortable home at Big Beaver Lake in Big Lake, Alaska after his marriage to Carol Gaumond. He would retire from the Civil Service and move to Yuma, Arizona. He and Carol would travel in their motorhome throughout the United States for several years. They got to see friends and family and enjoy being at the Daytona 500 one year! His beloved Carol passed away in 2004. Leonard would join his brother Rodger and sister Helen in Oklahoma, settling in Blanchard. He was married and divorced again.
Leonard was a handyman par excellence. He did leatherworking, crafted handmade guitars, restored a vintage tractor, and rebuilt machinery for use in his shop. He carried out these activities with meticulous attention to detail. He loved attending vintage car shows. He could see and appreciate the talents in others. He loved and interacted with people of any age; always ready for a tease followed by hugs around the neck and a tweek of the nose. Leonard was a restorer. His restorations not only included broken, old or dilapidated machinery. He also restored personal relationships with forgiveness; born out of personal experience. His last years were spent rebuilding his family ties. Leonard was a man’s man. He honored Family, God and Country. His genuine goodness in a world gone mad will be missed.
Leonard is survived by his five children. Brian(Alena) of Colorado; Collette(John)Boguslawski , Mt. Home, Idaho; Carl(Elysia), San Angelo, Texas; Afton(Sean) Manley, Mt. Home, Idaho; Jacob of California. Grandsons: Austin, Addison, and Hayden Lewis; Christopher, Cody, and Michael Boguslawski. Granddaughters, Heather Boguslawski , Kylie Manley and step grandchildren Daphne Manley, Jake Teagarden and Myha Sternadel. He is also survived by his twin brother Leland(Sue), Las Vegas, NV; sisters, Helen(Stewart), Wales, Utah; Kristie(Chip) Finch, Vicki(Raul) Frutos, Laurel(Jeff) Hardin, all of Lewiston, Idaho; Lynette (Roland) Jones of Kenai, Alaska. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Rodger; nieces Lisa Lewis, Angela Frutos and granddaughter Samantha Boguslawski. Numerous family and friends mourn his passing.
A private viewing will be held for family members at Eisenhour Funeral Home, Thursday June 18, 2020. A celebration will be held for family and friends at his residence on Friday June 19, 2020. He will be cremated, and his remains will be interred at Wales Cemetery in Wales, Utah July 11, 2020 with military honors.
Take care Boss.
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