James "Jim" R. D. Lewis

Lt. Col. James Robert Denman Lewis Sr. passed away Wednesday, September 7, 2022 in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the age of 75. Jim was born in Staten Island, New York on March 9, 1947 to Marvin Owen Lewis and Helen Denman Lewis. He moved multiple times with his family until settling in Oklahoma. He graduated from Tahlequah High School and Oklahoma State University where he entered the USAF via ROTC. Jim was a pilot in the Air Force where he flew the F-4 in the Vietnam War. He married Linda Forrest after his return from the war and together they traveled to Okinawa, Japan and Phoenix, Arizona. He flew with the airlines of Braniff and Continental and completed his retirement with the Air Force by flying in the Reserves at Tinker Air Force base in the F-4 and the F-16. He retired from Continental Airlines in 2005 and was glad to have so many friends and family members along with him for his final flight. Following his retirement, Jim moved back to Oklahoma to be closer to his family. He enjoyed working on cars and spending time with his lifelong friends and family. He has welcomed many friends into his home and cherished the time they spent together. He also enjoyed attending reunions with the River Rats and Tahlequah High School. Even more than his love of his country, Jim loved his family and all his friends that he considered family. He was an inspiration to all and never met anyone he didn’t like. Jim was preceded in death by his parents; and eldest son, James Jr. (Jimmy). He is survived by his wife, Linda of their home in Preston, OK; his daughter, Chrissy of Muskogee, OK; his son, Michael of Okmulgee, OK; and his two grandchildren, Chanel (Izzy) and Owen Thomson. He is also survived by his two loving brothers, John and wife Sandy of Phoenix, AZ and Raymond (Skip) and wife Diana of Muskogee, OK; one sister, Karen of OKC, OK. Jim had many dear friends who included his high school and college friends, comrades of the Air Force and the people he met who shared his interests in his hobbies. Funeral services celebrating Jim’s life will be 10AM, Tuesday, October 11, 2022 at the First United Methodist Church in Muskogee. Interment will follow at Fort Gibson National Cemetery with military honors being presented. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made the veteran organization of your choice.

James "Jim" R. D. Lewis

March 9, 1947 - September 7, 2022