Reginald Edwin Lewis passed away peacefully following a long illness on Sept. 8, 2018.

Born to Jessie and Mildred (Billie) Lewis on June 20, 1942, he was raised in Escalon where his family raised turkeys, chickens and rabbits. Always a hard worker, he had many memories of pitching watermelons, moving sprinkler pipes and taking his poultry to farmers markets but he really enjoyed talking about his hay hauling days. 

After high school he continued his education at MJC and Cal Poly SLO where he eventually received his Masters in Education. He taught agriculture at Brea, Escalon and Patterson High Schools and retired from teaching while at Del Puerto High School in Patterson, CA. His proudest teaching moments included going to troubled students’ homes and convincing them to stay in school and work for their diploma. He was always willing to help those who helped themselves.

Reg loved his country, had a high regard for farmers and other agriculturalists and was an avid outdoorsman. His generosity was appreciated by many ... he loved giving a leg-up to disadvantaged folks.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Linda and his five children, Steven, Kathryn, Tony, Amy and Michael, three step children, Andrew, Bryan and April, and 14 grandchildren. He truly loved his family and in spite of a tough exterior they all knew it.

A celebration of life will be held on Oct. 6 at the Escalon Sportsman’s Club at 1 p.m.

Please, if you have stories to share, family and friends would love to hear them.

Remembrances can be made in his name to the Wounded Warrior Project and to the Escalon Community Ambulance.

The Escalon (Calif.) Times

Sept. 26, 2018