Russell W. Lewis

Mr. Russell W. Lewis, 56, passed away Aug. 17, 2012, at his home in Reedsport, Ore., surrounded by his wife, the love of his life, Laura Hard Lewis, and his "Oregon family."

He was born Dec. 6, 1955, in Manilla, to Jack Leon Lewis and Thelma Irene Finley Lewis. Russell spent his growing-up years in Blytheville, attending Blytheville High School. He played drums in the marching band and took many of the sports pictures in the Blytheville Courier News during those years.

Russell's mother, Irene Lewis, was a very large influence in his life. She encouraged him to go to nursing school so that he could continue on into nurse anesthesia. Russ graduated from Arkansas State University in 1977 with an AD in Nursing. He then graduated from Nurse Anesthesia, Jackson, Miss., in 1981. After ten years he helped Laura go through anesthesia school. Russell and Laura traveled around the country for 13 years providing anesthesia services.

Having visited Oregon many times over the years, Russell and Laura wanted to spend their retirement years on the coast. It was an anesthesia assignment that brought them to Reedsport, Ore., many years before retirement.

Russ was the Anesthesia Department Head for almost 6 years. Russ and Laura always considered themselves small town folks and felt very comfortable and happy there.

Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) attacked him in late March and the fight ensued. After three rounds of chemo, Russ was so sick that he pulled himself out of the whole program. He was placed on Hospice in early June. Leukemia returned out of remission in early August and he passed away peacefully.

Russell was pre-deceased by his mother, Thelma Irene Lewis; his father Jack Leon Lewis; step-father Harold T. Lewis; and brother Sammy W. Lewis.

He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Laura Hard Lewis, formerly of Blytheville;

A brother, James R. Lewis of Blytheville;

A nephew, Sammy Lewis Jr. and wife, Regina, of Rivervale;

A sister-in-law, Linda Lewis of Phoenix, Ariz.;

His nephew, Christopher, and wife, Christina, of Phoenix;

His father-in-law, Dr. John W. Hard of Birmingham, formerly of Blytheville;

His brother-in-law, John D. Hard, and wife, Pam; and

Many nieces and nephews.

Our family has lost a fine husband, brother and best friend. There will never be another Russell Lewis, he will be missed by many. Russell was very intelligent, loving, caring, considerate and generous to a fault. He loved the Lord with all his heart. Russell died way too young, in the prime of his life, but we know that he was a very blessed man.

A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held at 4 p.m. Thursday at the Dunes Memorial Chapel, Reedsport, Ore. The family requests that any memorials in his honor be donated to the First Christian Church, 600 W. Main, Blytheville, AR 72315.