Michael Eugene Lewis, 72, of Olathe passed away May 31, 2019, surrounded by his family following a battle with cancer.

Mike was born on June 24, 1946 to Helen and Cecil Lewis. He grew up in Windsor, Missouri. Mike started climbing telephone poles for United Telephone when he was 17, rose through the ranks to be a Director at Sprint, and retired in 2010 as a Director with CenturyLink.

A true Renaissance man, Mike was an avid hunter and fisherman as well as a gardener, chef, carpenter, photographer, calligrapher, beekeeper, and handyman. He loved books and read constantly, always eager to learn. He adored being outside and the trees, flowers, and vegetables he planted flourished. The honey from his bees and his fruit preserves were in high demand. While Mike was good at so many different things, what really defined him was his love for his wife and family.

Mike met his wife, Bonnie in 1989 and they married on July 14, 1990. They spent their three decades together traveling, attending K-State, Royals, and Chiefs’ games, and raising their children. Always quick-witted, Mike enjoyed puns and being silly. His constant attempts to embarrass his daughter when she was a teenager by silly sounds and outlandish movements while in the mall were legendary.

Mike is survived by his wife, Bonnie, his children Todd, Matthew, and Megan, his brothers Bill, Jim and Joe, his sister Jane, as well as his 9 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. He loved them all. He joins his parents, his sisters Sue and Barbara Pat, and his dog Ribbit who preceded him in death.

Mike faced his cancer diagnosis with fierce courage and his characteristic humor. He had a life-long love of Hawaiian shirts and hats and wore his trademark bright colors to his many doctor appointments and treatments.

Cancer stole Mike away from us but it cannot steal him entirely because he is alive in everyone fortunate enough to have been close with him. He instilled a love of fishing in his daughter, nightly ‘walkabouts’ and wood working with his grandsons, and taught everyone to stay out of his kitchen while he made Thanksgiving possible year after year.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Penwell-Gabel funeral home in Olathe, KS at 2:00 PM on June 29th, 2019, with visitation to follow. Friends and family will be invited to share memories. In his characteristic typical humor, Mike has requested that those attending wear their finest Hawaiian shirts and shorts, or similar brightly colored clothing or hats.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Johnson County Family Justice Center Foundation at 100 North Kansas Avenue, 5th Floor, Olathe, KS 66061.


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