John S. Lewis

John Lewis of Oklahoma City passed away peacefully on June 23, 2022, in Oklahoma City.John was born May 13, 1924, in Sayre, Oklahoma, to Sol and Hilda Lewis. The youngest of their three children, he survived his brother, Bill Lewis, and his sister, Francis (Lewis) Smith. He was a proud graduate of Sayre High School. Just as our country entered World War II, he quickly joined the Army Air Corps to become a fighter pilot. During training at Luke Field, Arizona, he met the love of his life, Jean Miller. He was a World War II veteran. He and Jean married and spent most of their 76 years in Oklahoma City until Jean passed away on May 8, 2021.John was a visionary and builder his early career was in the property and casualty insurance business. His company owned a building at NE 45th and Lincoln Blvd. He often wondered why a prime piece of land across the boulevard remained undeveloped as it was perfectly located between the State Capitol and the National Cowboy Hall of Fame. Under his leadership, it became the Lincoln Plaza Office Center, Hotel, and Conference Center in the early 1970's. The hotel hosted may luminaries including President Ronald Reagan and Elvis Presley. The live dinner theater featured performances by well-known Hollywood stars.After retirement, John continued his career by developing a housing addition in Wichita, Kansas, as well as his hobbies of jewelry making and woodworking. Gold and travel became a favorite past time for he and Jean. They were active members of First and Westminster Presbyterian Churches for over 60 years.John is survived by his daughter, Kay Smith and her husband Mike, of Oklahoma City; granddaughter Kejda Herzog and her husband Pete; and great granddaughter, Emma Herzog of Austin, Texas; and many special nephews, nieces and their extended families.The family wishes to extend its heartfelt thanks to his wonderful caregivers, Tammy Jackson, Crystal Rios, Helen Dawson, and Becky Hatchel (his special hospice nurse).Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 2, 2022, at Smith & Kernke N. May. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either your church or the Oklahoma Alzheimer's Association.