Albert Earl Lewis

Source: Register-Guard, The (Eugene, OR) – Sunday, December 25, 2016

Albert Earl Lewis, “Whitey”, 86, of Reedsport, died Wed. Dec. 14, 2016 at Lower Umpqua Hospital.

A Celebration Of Life will be held Thurs. Dec. 29, 2016 at 3 pm at the Salmon Harbor Marina Activity Center, 100 Ork Rock Road, Winchester Bay, Or. Private Family Graveside Services will be held at the Reedsport Masonic Cemetery where he will be laid to rest beside his beloved wife.

Albert Earl Lewis was born Aug. 22, 1930 in Meadow Grove, Nebraska to Earl and Camilla Kelling Lewis. He was raised and educated in Meadow Grove, where he graduated, but he traveled to the Northern Oregon coast for a short time while his father was logging. He was united in marriage to Marjean Shupe on Jan. 21, 1950 in Tilden, Ne. They celebrated fifty-seven years of life together and raised five children. Marjean preceded him in death in Nov. of 2007.

Albert and Marjean moved to Reedsport in 1953 where he began working for the Umpqua Navigation Co. He was there for sixteen years and was working there in 1955 when he lost his leg in an accident. In 1969 Umpqua was purchased by Bohemia Lumber Co. and he continued working there as a foreman and eventually as the manager. He worked there for twenty-two years and then he and John Schaffer bought the company from Bohemia. They operated it until 2000 when it was sold.

Among his personal interests he enjoyed everything that the Oregon Coast has to offer. He loved Salmon fishing, crabbing and digging clams. The family had a traditional deer hunt every year. He also enjoyed playing cards and visiting with his friends. Whitey was all in for the Reedsport community, He was a past member of the Reedsport Volunteer Fire Dept. and an honorary fire chief. He was an active member of the Reedsport Eagles Lodge and the Moose Lodge, as well as the Elks Lodge.

He was preceded in death by his wife and his parents. Survivors include his six children, Monica and Greg Service, Bend, Or., Tom Lewis, Eugene, Or., Ron and Linda Lewis, Reedsport, Or., Becky and Kurt Arnold, Oregon City, Or., Tim and Debbie Lewis, Roseburg, Or., Scott and Jacki Lewis, Reedsport, Or., three brothers; Fred Lewis, Lakeside, Or., Jim Lewis, Idaho, and Ron Lewis, California. Also surviving are eighteen grandchildren and seventeen great grandchildren.

The family suggests that remembrances may be contributions made to the Reef Program in Reedsport or the Reedsport Booster Club, in his memory.

Services entrusted to Dunes Memorial Chapel, 541-271-2822.

Information was submitted by: Leslie Chapman Reedsport, Oregon.                                                                                       Name used with permission