Theodore “Ted” Ray Lewis Jr., 79 of Sunbury, Ohio, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on the morning of Saturday, March 1, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.
Ted was born December 16, 1945, in Portsmouth, Ohio, across the river and near where his family was from in Garrison. He was a son of the late Theodore Lewis and Mae Alexander Lewis. Ted attended Lewis County Schools where he was very active in basketball. He told the story of being on the varsity basketball team when he was just in eighth grade, whether it was due to his height, or due to lack of available players, we will never know. Ted graduated from Lewis County High School in 1964. Throughout his early years, he was quite the character and was known to be more than a little ornery and mischievous.
Ted and Myrel (Madden) met at an early age and started dating while in high school. They married and shortly after moved to Ohio, where they started a family. They attended Grace Baptist Church in Westerville, Ohio, where Ted served as a deacon for many years. When they settled in Sunbury, Ohio, they attended Johnstown Independent Baptist Church for more than 25 years.
Ted’s working career was spent primarily at the Kroger Bakery, retiring after 41 years. He was also a past president of the BCTGM Union (Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union).
Survivors include his loving wife of 58 years Myrel; a daughter, Beth (Jon) Wilkin; a son, Andrew (Jennifer) Lewis; a sister, Arzetta (Pud) Carpenter; a sister-in-law Alma Hamilton; his grandchildren, Emily (Tyler) Pumphrey, Joe (Tayler) Wilkin, and Connor and Mallory Lewis; a great-granddaughter, Audrey Wilkin; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by four sisters, Ruth (LeRoy) Collins, Wanda (Reece) Patton, Nell (Bob) McKenzie, and infant Dorothy Lou, and a brother Fred Hamilton.
Those close to Ted knew that he was a giver, just not in his family, but to several organizations, including the Wounded Warriors Project and the Disabled Veterans of America. Most importantly he gave his time to his church and his family. He coached youth sports, including some of his son’s teams and attended the grandkids sporting events and extracurricular activities. He enjoyed spending time in his garden and loved watching UK Basketball. Those close to Ted say that he was faithful, loving, a true family man through and through and most importantly he was an amazing husband, father, and pawpaw.
Services will be at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, March 8, 2025, at Snyder Funeral Homes, DeVore Chapel, 637 State Route 61, Sunbury, Ohio, 43074, where Pastor Dan Scarberry will officiate, celebrating the significance of Ted’s life. Burial will follow in Trenton Township Cemetery.
Visitation will be after 11:00 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home.
The family wishes that in the lieu of flowers, memorials be made to Wounded Warriors Project, PO Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675.
Memories and condolences may be expressed at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.
The Snyder Funeral Homes, DeVore Chapel is honored to serve the Lewis Family.
