Clarke & Staples Funeral Homes - Dudley Barksdale Lewis

Wednesday, August 19 2020

Posted by: Clarke & Staples Funeral Homes, Inc. AT 02:21 pm | Permalink | 30 Comments | Email

Comments:

Dudley and I along with two others were Army buddies back in 1965-1966. Norby Nelson and Clarence Lunsford were the other two. I am sorry to hear of his passing and honored to have known him. God bless.

Posted by Wayne Russell on 08/23/2020 - 09:49 AM

Sharon & Deborah Mika and I are very saddened by your loss. Dudley was very special to us and was the very definition of a "true friend". Over the years (60 that I can account for) he showed me kindnesses that are too numerous to recount here. I am smiling right now as I focus on all the good times we had and all the humorous things Dudley said and did. His memory will brighten any day that I think about him -- and that will be every day.

Posted by James G. O'Neill on 08/23/2020 - 11:19 AM

Dear Deborah, You and your family have known the sorrows and challenges of extended illness and disability for many years. I am very sorry to hear of your Father's death. He lived a very full and enriched life. I pray that the memories of close times and family laughter will carry you all through this difficult time. Take care and be well, Rocky Shoemaker

Posted by Rochelle Shoemaker on 08/23/2020 - 01:12 PM

Deborah, I mourn with and for you and the family. Your dad was three years older than I, graduating a year before I did. Thanks for a great life and a long marriage. May God's healing Spirit bless you all.

Posted by William E. Olewiler on 08/23/2020 - 01:12 PM

What a huge loss for the world. I, like countless others, thank Dudley for so many lessons and opportunities. He was a natural mentor that took lots of us under his wing. As tough as he seemed at times he was at his core sweet. I'll never forget the big assists and the little kindnesses he extended to me. Crackers he fetched for my morning sickness during a seminar he and I attended reflected that genuine sweetness. And, oh, how he gushed about his wife (and how she put up with him!) -- again, sweet.

Posted by Dawn Foxwell-Hassan on 08/23/2020 - 04:07 PM

Deborah, my sympathy to you at the loss of your Dad. What a beautiful testimony to his full prolific life. How hard it is for us to be in this time of a pandemic making it such a challenge for a life celebration. I pray you are well and surrounded by the love of friends and family. Blessings, Tizzy von Trapp Walker

Posted by Elizabeth Anne von Trapp Walker on 08/23/2020 - 04:50 PM

So sorry for your loss, our deepest sympathy goes out to your family🙏🙏

Posted by Alvin Whitlow & Frances Whitlow on 08/23/2020 - 07:58 PM

So very sorry to learn of Dudley's passing. He was a friend and former colleague at the plant in Newport News. I always looked forward to and will definitely miss the stimulating conversations with Dudley over breakfast once a month at IHOP.

Posted by Barry Marten on 08/23/2020 - 08:47 PM

Sharon, David and Deborah! Our heartfelt condolences on the passing of Dudley. He was always a joy to be around. He will be missed by many!

Posted by Joan and James Hughes on 08/24/2020 - 11:42 AM

You are in my thoughts and prayers and Dudley will be missed greatly.

Posted by Keith Winder on 08/24/2020 - 01:57 PM

Dudley was a great mentor and inspiration to me when I became a Mason in 2005. He served as Treasurer for many years and was always eager to help me during my years as Warden and Worshipful Master. Deena and I will offer up our prayers for his family.

Posted by Warren West on 08/24/2020 - 02:10 PM

I am so sorry to read of the loss of this good man and brother mason. I offer my deepest sympathy to his family. May he rest in peace and may perpetusl light shine upon him now and forever.

Posted by Foster E Ryan on 08/24/2020 - 02:42 PM

Deborah, I am very sorry to learn of your father's death. In reading the obituary, it is clear that he was a remarkable man. May God grant you grace and peace as you prepare to celebrate his life and in your grieving. Your friend, Matthew

Posted by Matthew Smith on 08/24/2020 - 02:44 PM

I'll long remember the example of leadership and patience demonstrated by Dudley.

Posted by Cash Arehart on 08/24/2020 - 04:29 PM

A genuine friend and a sincere man among men. A Mason of the first order. Loved by many, especially his wonderful bride.

Posted by Patti & Bill Turner on 08/24/2020 - 05:23 PM

My heart goes out to Sharon and Dudley's family, I am so very sorry for your great loss. Masonry has lost a true and faithful Brother, a perfect Ashlar. As a new Mason, Dudley was my coach and mentor, I thoroughly enjoyed our sessions which were full of his fascinating insights and sharp wit. I am proud to have known such a wonderful man.

Posted by Peter John Booker on 08/24/2020 - 07:45 PM

My deepest condolences to you and your family. He will be truly missed.

Posted by Edward Rauldome on 08/24/2020 - 08:31 PM

I was so sorry to hear about Dudley's passing this afternoon. I wish to send my condolences to all his family and many friends. I have been thinking about the years we shared at UVA. First as roommates at the Pi Kappa Phi house and the rest of the time with him and Lynn Stuart at the old house down at the Corner. Too many great times to mention all of them. I remember when we went to Nashville in his new convertible to go to the Grand Ole Opry and of the many other good times we shared. I am greatly saddened and only wish we had closer contact since our graduation. I hope to be at the Memorial Service.

Posted by Richard Burnett on 08/24/2020 - 09:43 PM

To the family of Dudley Lewis. I am so sorry to here of the passing of my good friend and brother Dudley Lewis. God Bless you All.

Posted by John Pouch on 08/25/2020 - 08:44 AM

Sharon and family, we mourn with you Dudley's passing and transition from this life to an even better one in the heavenly realms. He was such a great friend and advisor to those of us who served as officers of Williamsburg Masonic Lodge No. 6, and the years he spent as our Treasurer helped us get to much-needed renovations done to our bld'g., and his planning and foresight put us on a much better financial footing than we previously were on. We will miss his great smile, his humor, his advice and wisdom, tact, and candor. What a great role model he was: as a man, as a husband, a father, a professional, and as a Mason! We mourn his passing, but will long remember these great examples he has set for us all.

Posted by Kent Brinkley on 08/25/2020 - 10:37 AM

Many, many Brothers of Pi Kappa Phi are diminished by this loss. Dudley was a joyous soul and servant to so many. His equal does not come along very often. He will be missed.

Posted by Donald Smith on 08/25/2020 - 11:36 AM

I am so sorry for your loss. Dudley was a great friend and brother. I will miss his great sense of humor and his stories.

Posted by Michael Noftsger on 08/25/2020 - 09:53 PM

I am So very sorry for your loss. Dudley was a great man and always kind to me.

Posted by Daniel Brophy on 08/26/2020 - 08:22 AM

Fairwell to one of my best boxing buddies. You are missed. Enjoy Heaven my friend

Posted by Ron Monroe on 08/26/2020 - 09:49 AM

I was very sorry to hear about Dudley's passing. I wish to send my utmost condolences to his family and many friends. Dudley was one of the first brothers who introduced me to the Lodge and became my coach. I spent many enjoyable hours with him and he was the first to welcome my new son to a lodge breakfast. I will miss him dearly and honored to have known him.

Posted by John Kelly on 08/26/2020 - 11:46 AM

Sad to see Dudley's passing. We saw him last fall and we had some good laughs with good humor. We have fond memories of our ballroom dancing with him and Sharon... great times and memories. Our love to Sharon and their family.

Posted by Cheryl and Brian Shortell on 08/28/2020 - 02:16 PM

So sorry to hear the sad news. God Bless all of you

Posted by Jane Daniel on 08/28/2020 - 02:32 PM

We are very sorry to hear about Dudley's passing. Arriving from Sweden a long time ago we spent a year as neigbours. Dudley and his family certainly contributed a lot to our very enjoyable stay in the US. He was always very kind and helped us a lot with practical things needed by foreigners coming to a new country. And we appreciated his great humor. The very best wishes to Sharon and her family from our family.

Posted by Bertil and Margareta Gustafsson on 09/25/2020 - 08:55 AM

Thank you so much for taking the time to share memories and condolences here. We are grateful for all who loved Dad and want to let you know there will be an online memorial service at 2pm on Saturday, October 24th. We hope you can join us: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81776901136?pwd=Rk5OOWZFK0tCMjg5SlMrYndXWGtndz09 Deborah Lewis (Dudley's daughter)

Posted by Deborah Lewis on 10/10/2020 - 09:03 AM

I met Dudley at UVA were we were both Pi Kapps, overlapping for 1-year. I ended up in California, but our friendship had multiple chances to grow at the periodic fraternity reunions in Charlottesville. Dudley exuded a natural charm and sincerity that made him easy to like and get along with. My thanks to his family for the beautiful memorial service yesterday (10 /24). My wish is that we all might go forward, strengthened by having known Dudley.

Posted by Jym Clendenin on 10/25/2020 - 06:12 PM

Join the online meeting with the family - please find the link at the bottom of the obituary!

Dudley Barksdale Lewis Jr., 78, died August 19, 2020, of Parkinson’s disease. He passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, at The Anderson’s Cozy Home in Williamsburg, Virginia.

Dudley was born July 6, 1942, in Brunswick County, Virginia, to Dudley Barksdale Lewis and Blanche Rawlings Daniel Lewis. He grew up the eldest of three, farming tobacco, and lettering in three sports at Brunswick High School. His parents placed a high value on education, and he became the first in his immediate family to attend college, graduating from The University of Virginia in 1965 with a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering degree. During college, he played on the baseball team his first year and pledged the then-new chapter of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity.

Working at the General Services Administration in Washington, D.C., after graduation, Dudley joined the College & Career group at Corkran Methodist Church in Temple Hills, MD, where he met his wife, Sharon Kaye Allender. They were married in 1966 in a double wedding along with Sharon’s twin sister Carol Lee Allender and her husband William Franklin Shutt. Dudley and Sharon moved to the Peninsula when he accepted a position at Newport News Shipbuilding. Dudley served in the Virginia Army National Guard on weekends and received his Master’s degree in Business Administration in 1971 from The College of William & Mary, through night school. After the Shipyard, Dudley worked for Malcom Pirnie and Siemens Automotive. He obtained his Professional Engineer license in 1971 and was a Certified Quality Engineer through the American Society for Quality Control. With his wife, Dudley made a home first in Hampton, where their two children were born, and then in Williamsburg.

Though the Tidewater and Williamsburg communities were never as tightly knit as his beloved Brunswick County, Dudley made friends wherever he went, exemplified the life of a good neighbor, and demonstrated a commitment to community service. He was defeated in his run for the Virginia House of Delegates in 1977, but served the Republican Party of Virginia in many roles, including as First District Committee Chair and as a member of the State Central Committee from 1980-1990. Over the years, Dudley served on the Mental Health and Mental Retardation Services Board for Hampton-Newport News, the Virginia Board of Behavioral Science, the Heritage Girl Scout Council, and the Board of the Wesley Foundation at William & Mary. He coached Little League Baseball and Basketball. He was a lifelong Methodist, most recently as a member of Williamsburg United Methodist Church. Dudley was a member and Past Master of Williamsburg Masonic Lodge No. 6. He was a member of the Scottish Rite Southern Jurisdiction, the Khedive Temple A.A.O.N.M.S., and a Past President of the Williamsburg Shrine Club.

In his retirement, Dudley reveled in watching UVA sports and attending class and fraternity reunions. He and Sharon had a special fondness for trips to visit Hilton Head, South Carolina. Dudley was able to indulge his love of history and family through his genealogical research, writing, and local county courthouse trips. He was proud of the long tenure and the many branches of his family tree in Virginia, and became a member of the Jamestowne Society. He faced the challenges of Parkinson’s with dignity and grit, strapping on boxing gloves for workouts with the Rock Steady Boxing crew.

Dudley is survived by his wife of 54 years, Sharon; his daughter Rev. Deborah Ellen Lewis and her husband Roger Woodson Sherman and stepson Blair Philip Sherman of Charlottesville, VA; and his son David Brian Lewis and his wife Amy Lynn Koeppen Lewis of Sarasota, FL. He is also survived by his sister Patricia Ann Lewis of South Hill, VA; his brother Dale Daniel Lewis and his wife Kathryn Ann Lewis of Hopewell, VA; and his sister-in-law Carol Lee Shutt of Williamsburg, VA; in addition to many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Dudley was gregarious, generous, funny, fair-minded, compassionate, he loved children, and he was a hard worker. He considered it a blessing from God to be born a Virginian.

Dudley will be interred in a small family ceremony. A memorial service will be held at a future date. Memorial gifts may be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research: michaeljfox.org/donate. Online condolences may be expressed at clarkeandstaples.com.

Online Service information:

Topic: Dudley Lewis Memorial Service by Zoom Conference

Time: Sat., Oct 24, 2020 at 2:00 PM

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81776901136?pwd=Rk5OOWZFK0tCMjg5SlMrYndXWGtndz09

Meeting ID: 817 7690 1136

Passcode: 880914

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Meeting ID: 817 7690 1136

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