Paul Lewis, Jr, passed away on May 2, 2021 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. He is survived by his wife, Janet, his daughter, Suzanne, his son, Mark and his wife, Donna and his three grandchildren, Megan, Hunter and Connor.
Paul was born in Pocahontas, Arkansas, and moved to Los Angeles, California, during the depression with his parents. He grew-up in Huntington Park with frequent visits to family back in the Pocahontas area. After starting college at the University of Southern California, he came back home to the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville until he was drafted by the Army in the 1950’s. He served in the Army Military Police in Austria and Italy in those post-World War II years. Once his commitment was up, he returned to the University of Arkansas and completed law school in Fayetteville. It was during that time that he met Janet Semple and ended-up marrying her. His daughter was born during finals, just to add to the pressure of law school. He passed the bar and moved back to Pocahontas to set-up his law practice. That was where he welcomed his son. That’s when he decided to return to military service and joined the United States Air Force in the Judge Advocate General Corps. He served his country in that capacity for over 25 years, in the United States, in Vietnam and in Europe. When he finally retired, he moved to Little Rock with Janet and lived there for almost 30 years. He returned to Fayetteville one last time a couple of years ago and lived his remaining years in the center of Razorback country.
In keeping with Paul’s wishes, there will not be a service. He will be buried at the Masonic Cemetery in Pocahontas. His family asks that those who know him take some time to remember the times they spent together.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to Parkinson’s Foundation or to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.
I knew Paul back in the mid-1970s when we were both assigned to Hahn AB Germany as Air Force Judge Advocates. After Hahn, we would see each other occasionally at various Air Force Judge Advocate conferences.
I always enjoyed our conversations on non-legal topics. Sports (especially football), travel and home electronics. On legal matters, Paul relied on his instinct on what was right and wrong. He was never a stickler for legal technicalities. I didn’t always agree, but we maintained a professional relationship.
My wife Nancy and I send our condolences to the Lewis family.