John W. "Jack" Lewis

John W. "Jack" Lewis, 90, born Dec. 17, 1917 in Muscatine, Iowa, died Oct. 16, 2008 at noon in Patterson. He was a lifelong resident of Morgan City. He was a caring and doting husband, father, and grandfather. He knew no strangers and always was happy to help a friend. He loved a good joke and enjoyed finding a good deal at local pawn shops or garage sales. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard in World War II, and he married his wife of 63 years, Charlene Cross Lewis, on June 23, 1941. In 1946, he helped to organize Twin City Fisherman's Co-Op that would have far-reaching effects on the shrimping industry in the Tri-City area. He served as both the president and general manager of that organization. For a time he also served as president of the Louisiana Shrimper's Association, and he served from 1959 to 1961 as a member of the American Fisheries Advisory Committee. He left the co-op in 1960 when he bought an interest in Riverside Seafood in Berwick. Soon after, he bought an interest in Casso's Fisheries, also in Berwick. He retired from the fisheries scene in 1989. He also served on the board of directors of Patterson State Bank and was a member of Doric Lodge No. 205 for over 50 years. He is survived by one son, John C. Lewis of Morgan City; three daughters, Mary and Wayne Andrus of Des Allemands, Cheryl and John Braud of Franklin, and Jackie and Steve Weems of Lafayette; 11 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Charlene Opal Cross Lewis; and his parents, John Harvey Lewis and Aldean Maisenbach Lewis. Visitation will be held Monday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Twin City Funeral Home in Morgan City with funeral services immediately following at the funeral home. He will be honored with military and Masonic rites during interment at the Morgan City Cemetery. Twin City Funeral Home in Morgan City is in charge of the arrangements.