1930 - 2026
Emory James Lewis, 96, of Burden, Kansas, passed away Friday morning, April 10, 2026, at William Newton Hospital.
Born February 28, 1930, in Cambridge, Kansas, he was the son of Emory and Dorothy Lucile (Adkins) Lewis. He was raised and received his education in Burden, graduating from Burden High School in 1949. After high school, he worked at Boeing for a short time before enlisting in the United States Air Force. He proudly served his country starting in 1951 until his honorable discharge in 1955.
He married Doris Bailey on June 17, 1956, at the First Baptist Church in Burden. The couple had five children and divorced after 17 years of marriage. Emory worked for the Kansas Turnpike in the Communications Systems Department starting in 1956. He began his career with Collins Avionics in 1966 and moved his family to Marion, Iowa. In 1979, he transferred with the company to West Melbourne, Florida where he remained until retiring in 1999.
While visiting Burden in 2000, he reconnected with and fell in love with JoAnn Butler. The couple were married on May 12, 2000 and made their home in Burden. JoAnn preceded him in death later that same year. Emory was a member of First Baptist Church in Burden.
His family includes his children, Katherine Anne Kalan; Cheryl Therese Daman and husband, Dean; Emory “Jim” Lewis, Jr.; Melanie Doubiany Friedman and husband, Jason; Heather Jeannine Turner and husband, Dennis; his siblings, Donald Gene Lewis; Virginia Ann Atkins; Marilyn Sue Plain; his grandchildren, Lacie Anne (Kalan) Surratt, and husband, Jeff; Erin Louise (Daman) Strabala and husband, Christian; Daniel James Daman and wife, Anna; Nathan Duane Turner and wife, Justine; Nadia Hannan Doubiany and husband, Kyle Tester; Sophie Michaela (Friedman) Knighton and husband, Shawn; Julie Christine (Daman) Barkalow and husband, Christopher; Noelle Hayatt Doubiany; Michael James Lewis; Sarah Jean (Turner) Kirby and husband, Dave; Max Louis Friedman; Grace Helen Friedman; and his 14 great grandchildren.
In addition to his parents and wife, Emory was preceded in death by a granddaughter Jennifer Rae Daman and a brother Marvin Dean Lewis.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM, Friday, April 17, 2026, at the First Baptist Church in Burden under the direction of Miles Funeral Service. Interment will follow at Burden Cemetery.
Memorials have been established in Emory’s name for the First Baptist Church in Burden and for the Burden Alumni. Contributions may be made through the funeral home.
