John Franklin Lewis, retired U.S. Air Force Colonel, passed away on Friday, October 28, 2022 at the age of 86 at Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He was born on September 16, 1936, in Stamps, Arkansas, to Ethelyn (Futrell) and Wyatt Lewis, surrounded by the oil fields of southwest Arkansas, where his father worked for Humble Oil and John secretly fostered his love of flying.
“While in high school, he used to sneak off to learn to fly,” said his nephew, John Hightower, who became a pilot, inspired by his uncle. “Whatever it was he did to earn money, he spent it on flying lessons.”
On graduating from Stamps High School, John headed to the University of Alabama where he was part of the school’s ROTC program. It was at the University of Alabama where he met Elizabeth Ann “Betty” Elliott. The two would marry in Tuscaloosa on August 17, 1958. The following year, John graduated with a bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering. He later earned a master’s degree in education from Troy State University, while attending the Air War College in Montgomery, AL.
John joined the Air Force in 1959. Over his nearly 30-year military career John and Betty were stationed throughout mostly the southern U.S. and various assignments around the world, including Texas, Alabama, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, England, Thailand, Germany, and the Philippines. During his first years in the Air Force in Texas he trained other pilots as a T-38 flight instructor. During the Vietnam War, John served as a forward air controller. In addition to piloting numerous different planes, some of his many career highlights include being Squadron Commander (“Jake 01”) of the 704th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Sembach Air Base in Germany, serving as the 13th Air Force Director of Operations and Intelligence for Southeast Asia, time spent with the Royal Thai Air Force, and bringing the first F-100s to Sioux Falls for the South Dakota Air National Guard in 1970.
Although he rarely talked about them, John earned many honors during his service including the Legion of Merit, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, and an Air Medal. He retired from the Air Force in October 1988 while teaching at the Army War College in Carlisle, PA. He then spent the next decade working for Northwest Airlines in Eagan, Minnesota, directing the training of pilots on DC-10s and Airbus 320s.
In retirement, John never forgot his fellow veterans, volunteering at the local Veterans Administration Hospital while living in the Twin Cities, providing an ear and moral support for those receiving treatment. He later spent several joyous years volunteering in the Emergency Department at Fairview Ridges Hospital in Burnsville, MN.
A gregarious man, John made friends wherever he went and kept in close contact with many right up to the end. Before moving to Sioux Falls to be closer to family, most mornings John could be found with his coffee group at the Caribou Coffee on Cliff and Cedar and on Wednesdays at Jensen’s Café in Burnsville with his breakfast group. He especially loved Asian food, often sharing his enthusiasm with friends and family. Over the years, his children, friends, and neighbors would “gift” John and Betty a number of cats that he begrudgingly became very attached to.
John is preceded in death by his wife, Betty; oldest child, Graye; sisters, Jeanne Hightower, Margaret Szakasits.
He is survived by his son, Wyatt Lewis, of Largo, FL; daughter, Rebecca (Todd) Schultz of Sioux Falls, SD; his seven grandchildren, Hayley, Michelle, Joshua, Jacob, Katie, Kiefer, and Kenna; his nieces, nephews, many friends; his recent fiancée, Audrey Burnett of Sioux Falls, who brought him much joy in his final months.
The family would like to thank all the wonderful staff at the Sioux Falls VA Hospital for the care and compassion they showed John in his two prolonged hospital stays, as well as the caring and dedicated staff of Trail Ridge Retirement Community where John spent most of the last year of his life.
Family and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of John’s Life at East Side Lutheran Church, 1300 E. 10th St., Sioux Falls, SD, on Monday, Nov. 7 at 11 a.m. followed by lunch then a brief committal ceremony with full military honors at 2:00 p.m. at The South Dakota Veterans Cemetery, 25965 477th Ave, Sioux Falls, SD.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in John’s honor to Rainbow Bible Ranch, 14676 Lonetree Road, Sturgis, South Dakota 57785.
