Cleo Edward "Cotton Boll" Lewis
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Oct 15, 1938 - Aug 18, 2018
Posted by Ann Weber
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Cleo “Cotton Boll” Lewis, 79, lifelong Bartlesville
resident, died Saturday in Tulsa.
Cleo or “Cotton Boll” was born the son of Herbert William Lewis and Mary
Elizabeth (Marshall) Ivy on Oct. 15, 1938, in Bartlesville. He was raised by his
grandmother while his father was serving in WWII. Once his father was back from
the service along with his step mother Louise Lewis they lived in Glenoak. He
attended Nowata Schools graduating in 1956. Although he never considered himself
a veteran like his father Cleo served many years in the Army National Guard. A
mutual friend encouraged Cleo to visit Lois Jean Postrach at her home one day.
Not long after, they married and lived in Bartlesville, moving to their current
home in 1962. Cleo started his 39.5 year career with Reda Pump in 1959 in the
foundry retiring as machine maintenance supervisor in 1999.
When Cleo retired at age 60, his only request was for all the grandkids to be
dropped off at his house every day. He kept them busy riding bikes and picking
blackberries. Cleo was not gifted with good balance so he used a 3 wheeled
bicycle. Even though he didn’t ride at the time, in 1984 he saw a unique trike
in Caney, KS, so he bought and worked on it a bit. Once he hit the open road, a
true rider, he rode year round and in many parades and toy runs over the years,
including as Santa Claus in the local toy run on his signature yellow trike for
10 plus years. Cleo and Lois enjoyed trips to Branson and in later years, family
gatherings. He never missed the grandkids activities and gave each their own
nickname. He loved pitching horseshoes and the outdoors, working hard in his
garden and giving away the fruits of his labor to friends and charities like
Agape Mission. On his final ride Cleo was doing what he loved - riding and
blessing others with vegetables from his garden. He will be dearly missed by his
family and all who were fortunate enough to know him.
Cleo is survived by his loving wife Lois of the home, two children, Deborah Jean
Mattox; and Edward Lee Lewis and Mary, all of Bartlesville; siblings Leonard
“Butch” Lewis and Pam of Sedan, and Karen “Kay” Whitting of Wichita; nine
grandchildren, Tommy Keener and Jamie, Tyler Crawford and Crystal Vick, Travis
Crawford and Tristina Sutton, Dawson Davis and Victoria, Chance Harper, Ashley
Robinson and Ray, Andy Lewis and Amy, Clint Lewis and Tabatha Harlow, and Logan
Lewis; and 15 great grandkids, Kacey, Lexi, Noah, Ryan, Tucker, Brelynn, Aydon,
Brycen, Dayson, Theresa, Sarah, Annalee, Colton, Payton and Pasley.
Visitation will be held Thur. 10-8, and Fri. 9-12. at the Davis Family Funeral
Home – Walker Brown Chapel, 918-333-7665, 4201 Nowata Rd, Bartlesville.
Funeral services will be held 2 pm on Friday, Aug. 24, at New Harmony Baptist
Church, with Rev. Lonnie Hoelscher officiating.
Interment to follow in the White
Rose Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Carter Davis and the Davis
Family Funeral Home – Walker Brown Chapel.
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