Carlton Theodore “Butch” Lewis, 84, of Portsmouth, passed away Saturday, December 4, 2021, at the SOMC Hospice Center. He was born to the late Hope (Hackett) and Lovell Edward Lewis on September 10, 1937, in Portsmouth.
Carlton was preceded in death January 3, 2021 by the love of his life, Shirley Ann Morrow Lewis. The couple, married 64 years, wed on December 29, 1956.
A 1955 graduate of Portsmouth High School, Butch retired from N&W Railway Co. where he was a roadway mechanic. He had also worked for Public Finance and as a doorman at the Lyric Theatre, both formerly of Portsmouth. An Air Force Vietnam era veteran from 1958-1964, he was awarded the US Air Force Longevity Service Award and the Good Conduct Medal with 2 bronze loops.
Butch was an intelligent and witty man with a unique sense of humor and great comedic timing. He enjoyed surprising his family with his vast trivial knowledge and he also had a love of music, which he shared with family and friends in special ways. He liked to listen to big band music and he collected records, antiques and also repaired vintage radios and phonographs (and nearly anything else). He could often be found sitting on his back porch enjoying the quiet serenity of his home and yard. Butch had many interests, but his foremost passion was spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, attending their events whenever possible. He and Shirley also spent many happy times on Sanibel Island and traveling the country.
Surviving are his three children, Gwyn Denise (Mark J.) Clifford of Portsmouth, Carlton T. “Ted” (Diane Bader-) Lewis Jr. of Gahanna and Timothy Scot (Molly) Lewis of Portsmouth; eight grandchildren, Emily Hope (Steven) Karth, Makenzie Lee (Shane) Page, Abigail Agnes (Brad) Fletcher, Carlton Theodore “Trey” Lewis III, Jarrod Scot Lewis, Ryan Michael Lewis, Kevin Joseph Lewis and Brett Thomas (Jasmine Price) Lewis; six great-grandchildren, Holly Meadows, Parker Mason Page, Finnlee Carolyn Page, Beckham Theodore Page, Josephine Grace Fletcher and Bryer David Lewis; brothers and sisters-in-law, Lovell E. “Lew” (Diane) Lewis, Annette Lewis Burgess, Janet (Gary) Knauff, Dianne McHenry, Lynne Knight, Phyllis Morrow; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and their families as well as many friends.
Also preceding him in death were siblings, Cleveland (Kate) Lewis, William (Jeannine) Lewis, Wanda (Joe) Siwek, June (Junior) Lowe, Franklin D. Lewis and Colleen Joy Marlowe Varney.
A funeral service to celebrate Carlton’s rich life will be held at 12:30 P.M. Thursday at the Ralph F. Scott Funeral Home in Portsmouth with Rev. John Gowdy officiating and interment in Memorial Burial Park. The event may also be viewed Live Stream via the Ralph F. Scott Funeral Home Facebook page. The James Dickey Post #23 American Legion Honor Guard will conduct military graveside rites.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home Thursday from 11 A.M. to 12 :30 P.M. Any unvaccinated individuals are requested to wear a mask.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to SOMC Hospice, St. Jude, Boys Town and the Salvation Army.
In honor of Mr. Lewis’ service to our country, the flag of the U.S. Air Force will fly at the funeral home.