1938
Mr.
2015
Mr. Henry Lewis
December 8, 1938 — September 26, 2015
Henry John Walter Lewis (AKA: John Lewis, H John Lewis) of Lee’s Summit, MO, 76 died of natural causes at Hospice House on September 26, 2015. John Lewis was born on December 8, 1938 in the County of Surrey, London, England son of Olive Edith Creaske Lewis and John Henry Walter Lewis. He is survived by his wife, Betty Jean Lewis of Overland Park, and two adult children whom he shared with Nina Lewis: Niels Christopher Lewis of Galesburg, Illinois and Tina Lewis along with her children that she shares with Martin Bonnen; Peter Lewis Bonnen, and Henrietta Lewis Bonnen of Copenhagen, Denmark. He also has five step children: Gus Ibarra, Anthony Ibarra, Jerry Ibarra, Denice Hamilton, and Deborah Byrne. He is preceded in death by his father in 1972, his mother in 2000, and his sister, Morwenne katherine Daubeney of Jersey, Channel Islands, UK in 2000.
John attended primary school in Jersey and London. He went on to St Andrews University where he studied mechanical engineering and was also an officer for the British Royal Air force. After completing his studies, he achieved his pilot’s license and then flew for a series of airlines including Bahamas Air, BOAC, TWA, Air Virginia, People’s Express, and Continental. He was also the chief pilot for President Julius Nyerere of Tanzania and head of the Tanzanian Air Force from 1974 to 1977. Over the years, he became proficient at the operation the Hawker Sidley 748, DC-3, Lockheed L1011, B-737, DC-10, and B-747. He retired in 1998 as a captain of a DC-10 while flying for Continental.
John and Betty were married in 1978 and enjoyed the joint endeavor of building the iconic Torreon Mexican restaurant in Overland Park which is presently owned by Betty’s daughter Denice Hamilton.
John was born British and was naturalized a United States citizen in February of 1983. It was this naturalization combined with his officer ranking with the RAF that allowed him to be an Air Force reservist qualified to fly a B-52. He was called on in 1991 to fly in Desert Storm transporting troops from Germany to Saudi Arabia aboard a B-747.
Upon retirement he was able to maintain his passion for flying by becoming a model airplane hobbyist. He was unique in this pursuit as he was a pioneer in the use of electric motors for propulsion instead of the more common liquid fuel. He built and flew his planes at numerous flying clubs including the 95th Street Flying Group.
A visitation will be held from 1:00-2:00pm Thursday October 1, 2015 at Johnson County Funeral Chapel, 11200 Metcalf with funeral services to follow at 2:00pm. All who knew John are welcome to attend. Memorials may be made to the National Stroke Association http://www.stroke.org/ways-give/donate .
John attended primary school in Jersey and London. He went on to St Andrews University where he studied mechanical engineering and was also an officer for the British Royal Air force. After completing his studies, he achieved his pilot’s license and then flew for a series of airlines including Bahamas Air, BOAC, TWA, Air Virginia, People’s Express, and Continental. He was also the chief pilot for President Julius Nyerere of Tanzania and head of the Tanzanian Air Force from 1974 to 1977. Over the years, he became proficient at the operation the Hawker Sidley 748, DC-3, Lockheed L1011, B-737, DC-10, and B-747. He retired in 1998 as a captain of a DC-10 while flying for Continental.
John and Betty were married in 1978 and enjoyed the joint endeavor of building the iconic Torreon Mexican restaurant in Overland Park which is presently owned by Betty’s daughter Denice Hamilton.
John was born British and was naturalized a United States citizen in February of 1983. It was this naturalization combined with his officer ranking with the RAF that allowed him to be an Air Force reservist qualified to fly a B-52. He was called on in 1991 to fly in Desert Storm transporting troops from Germany to Saudi Arabia aboard a B-747.
Upon retirement he was able to maintain his passion for flying by becoming a model airplane hobbyist. He was unique in this pursuit as he was a pioneer in the use of electric motors for propulsion instead of the more common liquid fuel. He built and flew his planes at numerous flying clubs including the 95th Street Flying Group.
A visitation will be held from 1:00-2:00pm Thursday October 1, 2015 at Johnson County Funeral Chapel, 11200 Metcalf with funeral services to follow at 2:00pm. All who knew John are welcome to attend. Memorials may be made to the National Stroke Association http://www.stroke.org/ways-give/donate .
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