Harry Donald Lewis

Harry Donald Lewis, known to most everyone as Donald, was born on October 7, 1941, in Coffeyville, Kansas, and passed away on May 20, 2026, in Phoenix, Arizona. He leaves behind a life that was as full of laughter as it was of love. He lived with a spirit that could brighten a room, a grin that could sneak up on you, and a sense of humor that made even ordinary days feel like they had a punchline waiting at the end.  Graveside services will held be at 10:00 a.m. at Mount Hope Cemetery, Independence, Kansas.

Donald was a loving and funny guy, which is a rare combination, though anyone who knew him would say he made it look easy. He had the kind of presence that could make a family gathering feel warmer, a fishing trip feel like an adventure, and a simple conversation feel like an event worth remembering. He was the sort of man who would flip over a table if he was losing a game, add a few expletives, and then laugh at himself before anyone else had a chance to. He carried himself with confidence, a little arrogance, and he had a gift for making his humor feel like part of the family inheritance.

At age 17, Donald joined the Army, beginning a chapter of his life that reflected his courage and independence. He served in Monteith Barracks in Fürth, Germany, during the Cold War as an Armor Crewmember and Commanding Gunner, where he earned the commendations of Sharpshooter and Marksman. That service was a serious and honorable part of his life, and it spoke to the kind of young man he was, steady under pressure and willing to do his duty while being a little crazy.

After his military service, Donald built a life centered on family, friendship, and the simple joys that make a person rich in all the ways that matter. He loved to fish, and no doubt he appreciated the kind of peace that fishing brought him. He loved to tell stories, and if those stories grew a little bigger each time they were told, that only made them better. He also loved to listen to his blues, which suited him well, because some songs are not just music. They are company. They are memories. They are many words of truth wrapped in a song. Donald married Peggy Johnson and together had three children. He is survived by Dawn, Eric (Aiko), and Nichelle. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Alyssa (Juan), Erica, and Briana, and his great grandbaby, Amelia. He is also survived by his siblings, Peggy Lewis Kennedy, Jessie (Sarah) Dixon, Sam “Gene” Ford, and Yolanda Denise Ford.

Donald is predeceased by his parents, Otto Lewis Sr. and Kathleen Owens; siblings LuElla Lewis Green, Otto Lewis Jr. “Butchie,” Mavis Lewis Scott, Albert Dean Lewis, and Vetrajune C. Ford. His family was one of the greatest joys of his life, and he gave them the kind of love that was real. It is the kind of love that reflects in memories, in habits, in jokes, and in the little ways we continue to resemble the loved ones we miss.

Donald’s life was a fine example of how to be strong without being stiff, funny without trying too hard, and generous without keeping score. He leaves behind a legacy of service, resilience, laughter, and affection, and he will be remembered not only for what he did, but for how he made people feel. He made life brighter. He made ordinary moments memorable. And if heaven has a front porch, a fishing hole, and a blues station, Donald is likely already settled in, telling a story with a little truth that ends with everybody laughing anyway.