Kenneth Howard Lewis

Kenneth Howard Lewis, 90, of Sturkie, Arkansas, passed from this walk of life on Sunday, June 15, 2025, at Ozarks Medical Center in West Plains, Missouri.

He was born in Iuka, Arkansas, on January 8, 1935, son of the late Arby Woods Lewis and Verna Flossie (Fouts) Lewis. Kenneth served in the United States Army from 1955 until 1958, stationed in Alaska during the Korean War where he achieved the rank of Specialist First Class. He married the late Mary Nell Riney of Pocahontas, Arkansas, on July 27, 1958 and they enjoyed 61 years of marriage before her death in 2020. The couple lived in Kansas City early in their Marriage, where Kenneth worked for Virginia Pulp and Paper for 10 years and where they adopted their son David Dwayne Lewis. In 1970 the family moved to Fulton County, Arkansas, where they purchased a farm with Kenneth’s brother, Noble. Kenneth and Mary lived in the house on that farm until their deaths. After returning to Arkansas, Kenneth worked in construction in Horseshoe Bend before training at Cherokee Village to become an EMT. He worked as an EMT at Fulton County Hospital Ambulance Service, becoming Service Director in 1976. He served in that role for 21 years until he had to retire in 1997 after heart surgery. He and Mary enjoyed the support and care of neighbor Darla York, considering her an ‘adopted daughter’ and Darla’s daughter Shelby Brazeal and daughter-in-law Hassi York their ‘adopted granddaughters.’ Kenneth was a member of Salem First Baptist Church in Salem, Arkansas where he enjoyed participating in their music programs.

Kenneth is survived by his son, David Lewis of Sturkie, Arkansas; brother Noel “Dick” Lewis of Warsaw, Missouri; brother Melvin “Pete” Lewis and his wife Rita Kay Lewis of Sturkie, Arkansas; sister Anita Mae Warden of Ash Flat, Arkansas; sister Marsha Diane Lewis of Cherokee Village, Arkansas; and sister-in-law, Carolyn Lewis of Sturkie, Arkansas.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Lewis; his parents; his brothers, Noble Lewis and William “Bill” Lewis; his sister-in-law, Dorothy “Dotty” Lewis; and his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Joe and Helen Craig.

Pallbearers include: Ken Warden, Eric Lewis, Kevin Lewis, Shane Lewis, Chase Lewis, and John Sharp.

Honorary Pallbearers include: Ted York, Joe York, Stanley York, Layton York, Tim Hodges, Seth Brazeal, and Bill Lummis.

Memorials may be sent to the Salem First Baptist Church – Youth Ministry, PO Box 737; Salem, Arkansas 72576.

Funeral Services will be held, Friday, June 20, 2025, at 2:00 PM at Salem First Baptist Church in Salem, Arkansas, with Bro. John Hodges officiating. Interment will follow at Wiseman Cemetery, Wiseman, Arkansas, with Bro. Tyler Fox officiating. Visitation will be prior to the service beginning at 1:00 PM.