Horace Lewis

Horace LeGrande Lewis age 90 passed away December 24, 2007 due to complications from Parkinson?s disease. He was born July 28, 1917 on a dry farm near Burley, Idaho to Horace Edward and Maria Elizabeth Christensen Lewis, the youngest of a family of seven. He married Patty Ione Smith of Rexburg, Idaho on December 24, 1942. The marriage was later solemnized June 17, 1943 in the Salt Lake Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah. Patty passed away on February 23, 1950 with acute leukemia. They had two daughters. He married Shirley Laura Erskine Dunlop, a widow with a young son on November 24, 1950. She passed away June 24, 2003. LeGrande?s family moved to Provo, Utah in the summer of 1923, where he attended Provo City schools, graduating from Provo High in 1935. He then attended BYU, graduating in 1939 with degrees in Physics and Math. Following graduation he moved to Los Angeles, California and worked for Lockheed Aircraft Corporation. He enlisted in the Army Air Corp as a meteorology cadet in the summer of 1942 and did graduate work in meteorology at UCLA. He was assigned to the 8th Weather Squadron, serving in the South Atlantic, Brazil, and Ascension Island during World War II. After discharge from the Army Air Corp in the summer of 1946 with the rank of Captain and four years of military service, he began working for the U.S. Weather Bureau in Salt Lake City, Utah, retiring in 1977. LeGrande was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints all of his life. Shortly after they were married, he and Shirley were called as Ward and Stake Dance Directors and in 1961 were called as a couple to the YMMIA and YWMIA General Boards where they served 4 years. LeGrande continued for another year on the Dance Committee. He then served for 7 years on the YMMIA General Board Explorer Committee. He was an avid scouter having earned the rank of an Eagle Scout as a youth. He received the Local District Award and the Silver Beaver Award, continuing in active scouting leadership positions until after his 80th birthday. He served in three bishoprics and as Bishop of the Val Verda 6th Ward. He and Shirley served a mission in the California Oakland Mission from 1990-1991. LeGrande loved his family. He was happiest when they were together. Each birthday was an excuse for a family reunion. He enjoyed traveling and was able to visit Europe, Africa, Central and South America, Canada, Hawaii, the Holy Lands, and the Caribbean. He loved gardening flowers, fruits, and vegetables, and grew almost every variety that did well at this climate, and was willing to share with family and friends. LeGrande built a variety of things during his lifetime. This included two houses, three motor boats, trailers, campers, and an assortment of toys for his children and grandchildren. He was often fixing or improving mechanical equipment and was ready to repair things for anyone that needed help. He was always looking for a better way to build or repair an item. Preceded in death by his two wives and one great grandson. He is survived by six children, James P. Joyce Dunlop, Barbara Mark Clary, Kathy Bart Larsen, Connie Douglas Jenkins, Kristine Craig Olson, and Stephen L. Maria Lewis, 28 grandchildren, and 32 great grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 29, 2007 at 1:00 p.m. at the Val Verda Stake Center, 500 West 2600 South. Friends may call Friday evening from 6:00 ? 8:00 p.m. at the Russon Brothers Bountiful Mortuary, 295 North Main and Saturday 11:45 a.m.?12:45 p.m. at the church prior to services. Interment ? Provo City Cemetery.