Kirk Lewis

CAPT Kirk Thomas Lewis, USN (ret), 72, fell asleep Wednesday, January 6, 2021 at Community Hospice, Jacksonville, FL, five days after his terminal cancer diagnosis.

He was born into a military aviation family in post-war Japan in 1948. During his formative years, he lived in TX, NY, Germany, MI and Madison, WI. In June 1966, he graduated from Madison’s LaFollette HS. In January 1970, he graduated from the University of Wisconsin and was commissioned via NROTC.

He next served in Washington, DC, where he met his wife, Lora, who was a Retail Buyer for The Hecht Co. In 1972, they married, and Lora joined Kirk in TX.

He was designated a Naval Aviator in 1973. The couple moved to CA and he was deployed to Vietnam aboard USS Coral Sea. During his distinguished Navy career of more than 30 years, he piloted several aircraft types, predominately the A7-E. In 1976, the Lewises arrived in Jacksonville, FL where he served numerous tours in USS Forrestal and commanded VA-105, NAS Cecil Field and the NROTC Unit at Jacksonville University. He served on Boards of Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, American Red Cross and St Johns Country Day School.

In between Jacksonville tours, Kirk attended the Naval War College in Newport, RI. He served twice in Europe: with NATO in the NL, and in London, UK. He earned three master’s degrees, most recently an EMBA from JU.

After Navy retirement in 2001, he managed Adult Degree and Aviation programs at JU. Later, he worked as Operations Manager for a family-owned company before retiring to a life of volunteer service. He was an active member of the civic leadership group, Meninak. For 10 years, he directed the volunteer teams counting Red Kettle contributions for NE FL Salvation Army. In 2016, Meninak awarded him the prestigious Gladys Harris Memorial Award for this work. Salvation Army honored him that same year.

CAPT Lewis is survived by his wife, Lora Lianne Lewis of Washington, DC; daughter, Jaime Lynn Cooper (Ryan) Ashburn, VA; granddaughters, Charlotte, Hannah, and Riley. He was predeceased by his parents, Lt Col George T Lewis, USAF (ret) and Helen R Lewis, and two brothers, Geoffrey S Lewis, and Bradley R Lewis (Ruth). He also leaves a niece, Morgan Tribbey (Stuart), a nephew, Brandon Lewis, and numerous cousins.

Services are at St Justin Martyr Orthodox Church, 12460 Old St Augustine Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32258. Funeral service and Liturgy for the Departed require pre-registration. The Fellowship Hall will be open for overflow and both services will be live-streamed. All attendees must be masked.

Monday, January 11

Public visitations 5:00-6:15p,

Funeral 7:00p

Light refreshments following

Tuesday, January 12

Liturgy for the Departed 10a

Interment at Church Cemetery with military honors

Repast meal at outdoor Pavilion

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to NE FL Salvation Army, Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, Wounded Warrior Project or St Justin Martyr Church Cemetery Fund.