John Lewis

John Edward “Bud” Lewis

November 4, 1931 – August 23, 2019

John Edward “Bud” Lewis, 87, of Prairie Village, Kansas, died unexpectedly on Friday, August 23, 2019, at Advent Health Shawnee Mission, surrounded by his family. Special thanks to the ICU staff for working so tirelessly to help him after he developed complications from the aortic valve replacement  surgery he had two days prior.

Bud was born November 4, 1931, in Kansas City, Missouri, and was in the same nursery at the same time as the future love of his life, his wife of 62 years until her death in 2012, Betty Jean (McCracken) Lewis. Bud met Betty at age 16, when her friends dared her to kiss the next boy who walked down the street. Thankfully, it was Bud, and they were never apart until her untimely death in 2012. Theirs is a love story for the ages, and he has never been quite the same since losing her.

Bud was the friendliest, kindest, most easy-going person you could ever meet.  He rarely passed someone without at least saying hello, and he would know the whole life story of the person standing next to him in a line by the time he left. He lit up a room with his smile, his jokes, and his easy-going nature.

Bud spent his career working for a local Dairy and loved driving all over the Midwest making deliveries. Up until a couple of days before his death, he still enjoyed driving around the city, going to thrift stores with his Shih Tzu, Buddy, and reminiscing. He could back a car into a parking space like a boss, even at age 87, and we are so thankful that we never had to take his keys away.

Bud spent most of his time with his large, extended family and his dog, Buddy. There was never a dull moment with two kids, five grandkids, 10 great-grandkids and even a great-great grandson. He loved them all equally and could never be suckered into answering the question, “Am I your favorite, Poppy Bud?” Up until the end, he would always say diplomatically, “Yes, you’re one of them!” He was so proud of them.

The whole family has such great memories of time spent with Bud and Betty over the years. They truly lived for the kids and spent many happy years taking the family to their lake house at Lake of the Ozarks. His daughter and son-in-law, grand kids and great-grandkids, have also enjoyed taking him on numerous cruises and vacations in the years since Betty died, determined to keep him active and busy. He enjoyed the trips so much and did more in the past six years than he ever dreamed he would do.

His room is a shrine to his loved ones. Every single inch of every wall and surface is covered with pictures of his family and little knick knacks that he has either collected over the years, or that he picked up on one of his thrift store outings. The small, simple things gave him the most pleasure and happiness. His room truly is an amazing sight, and it’s not an exaggeration to say there is not an inch left uncovered. He also has a nice collection of albums and CD’s. His favorite music was old school Country/Western, and he also enjoyed watching old westerns on TV, like Gunsmoke and Bonanza. Betty loved watching the Chiefs and Jayhawks games on TV, but Bud would be totally happy going into the other room and watching his westerns.

Bud was preceded in death by his wife, Betty; his father, William Frederick Lewis; his brother, Billy Joe Lewis; and brother-in-law, Donald McCracken. He is survived by his daughter, Sharon Marshall (Alan), of Prairie Village; son, Ron Lewis (Denise), of Lenexa; five grandchildren: Michelle King (Jim), of Lenexa; Janelle Jonas (Dave), of Shawnee; Staci Johnson (Gabe), of Gardner; Mindy Cox (Craig), of Shawnee; and Adam Lewis of Washington, D.C.; ten great-grandchildren: Alexis Marshall, Abby King, Hailey Marshall, Marisa Ward, Brendan Jonas, Colton King, Kylee Marshall, Caiden Cox, Eliana Johnson, and Brantley Johnson; one great-great grandson, Declan Myers; his sister-in-law, Grace McCracken (Donald), of Overland Park, and her family; and his constant companion, his Shih Tzu, Buddy.

There will be a private graveside service for family only. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Phelan McDermid Syndrome Foundation (www.pmsf.org) in celebration of his great-granddaughter, Eliana Johnson; or the American Heart Association.