1945
Obadiah
2021
Obadiah “OJ” Joshua Lewis, Jr.
June 18, 1945 — December 11, 2021
Obadiah "OJ” Joshua Lewis, Jr. was born on June 18, 1945, to Obadiah Joshua Lewis, Sr. and Winnie Penquite Lewis, both of whom preceded him in death. He is also survived by his wife of 35 years Patty Rice Lewis, a son Obadiah Joshua (Monica Smith) Lewis, III, a daughter Tamara Nicole (Michael Newberry) Lewis-Newberry and one granddaughter Niana Monique Lewis. He was blessed to have six siblings: Peggy Lewis LeCompte, Evangeline Lewis Ward (Deceased), Louella Lewis Hawkins, Money Lewis Guiden, Julius Clark Lewis, Sr. (Deceased) and Arnavell Flood. Sisters-in-law Frances Rice Davis & Gail Rice Whitfield & brothers-in-law Larry Rice & Ross Davis.
Obadiah was educated in East St. Louis School District #189 and attended Washington Elementary School, Hughes-Quinn Junior High School and graduated from East St. Louis Senior High School in 1963. He received an Associate of Science Degree in Business and Data Processing from State Community College in 1974. He received his Business Degree from Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville, Illinois on December 15, 1979.
Obadiah joined the U. S. Navy on September 1, 1964, and served on several Naval bases in Southern California. In 1965 he was selected to serve onboard the USS Tripoli (LPH-10), which included a tour in Vietnam. He was promoted to the rank of Petty Officer Second Class and earned several medals and ribbons: the National Defense Award, the Vietnam Service 1 (Bronze Star), the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Meritorious Unit Citation, and the Good Conduct Medal. He received an Honorable Discharge that was signed by President George H. W. Bush.
Obadiah served in the US Navy Reserve for twelve years and was a member of the Commodore's Seabee Staff and earned the rank of Petty Officer First Class. His Certificate was signed by President George W. Bush. He retired from the military after twenty-two years and eleven months of total service.
After leaving the military, he began working for the Alton and Southern Railroad of East St. Louis and transferred to the Missouri Pacific Railroad where he served as Manager of Car Hire. He retired in 2007 after 26 years of service. Following his retirement from the Union Pacific Railroad, Obadiah took a job as Outside Sales Manager for Sears four years and then served as Manager for Lowe's Home Improvement seven and one-half years.
Obadiah served as President of the Black Employees Network Union Pacific Railroad and was a member of the volunteer staff of the St. Louis USO. He was a member of Wesley-Bethel United Methodist Church and served as a member of the Board of Trustees for several years. He joined the Washington Metropolitan AME Church and served as a member of the Men of Zion. On September 25, 2019, he was baptized and joined the Faith Church of Weldon Springs, Missouri.
Obadiah departed this life on December 11, 2021. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister Evangeline Ward and brother, Julius Clark Lewis, Sr.
In addition to his wife Patty, son Jay, daughter-in-law Monica, granddaughter Niana, daughter Tamara, and son in law Michael. Siblings he leaves to cherish his memory two brothers-in-law Henry Guiden and George Flood I, a sister-in-law Josephine Cotton Lewis; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.
Baue Funeral Homes is currently following CDC recommendations regarding mask and social distancing policies.
The family would like to invite you to watch the funeral service online, Click here to view.
Obadiah was educated in East St. Louis School District #189 and attended Washington Elementary School, Hughes-Quinn Junior High School and graduated from East St. Louis Senior High School in 1963. He received an Associate of Science Degree in Business and Data Processing from State Community College in 1974. He received his Business Degree from Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville, Illinois on December 15, 1979.
Obadiah joined the U. S. Navy on September 1, 1964, and served on several Naval bases in Southern California. In 1965 he was selected to serve onboard the USS Tripoli (LPH-10), which included a tour in Vietnam. He was promoted to the rank of Petty Officer Second Class and earned several medals and ribbons: the National Defense Award, the Vietnam Service 1 (Bronze Star), the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Meritorious Unit Citation, and the Good Conduct Medal. He received an Honorable Discharge that was signed by President George H. W. Bush.
Obadiah served in the US Navy Reserve for twelve years and was a member of the Commodore's Seabee Staff and earned the rank of Petty Officer First Class. His Certificate was signed by President George W. Bush. He retired from the military after twenty-two years and eleven months of total service.
After leaving the military, he began working for the Alton and Southern Railroad of East St. Louis and transferred to the Missouri Pacific Railroad where he served as Manager of Car Hire. He retired in 2007 after 26 years of service. Following his retirement from the Union Pacific Railroad, Obadiah took a job as Outside Sales Manager for Sears four years and then served as Manager for Lowe's Home Improvement seven and one-half years.
Obadiah served as President of the Black Employees Network Union Pacific Railroad and was a member of the volunteer staff of the St. Louis USO. He was a member of Wesley-Bethel United Methodist Church and served as a member of the Board of Trustees for several years. He joined the Washington Metropolitan AME Church and served as a member of the Men of Zion. On September 25, 2019, he was baptized and joined the Faith Church of Weldon Springs, Missouri.
Obadiah departed this life on December 11, 2021. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister Evangeline Ward and brother, Julius Clark Lewis, Sr.
In addition to his wife Patty, son Jay, daughter-in-law Monica, granddaughter Niana, daughter Tamara, and son in law Michael. Siblings he leaves to cherish his memory two brothers-in-law Henry Guiden and George Flood I, a sister-in-law Josephine Cotton Lewis; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.
Baue Funeral Homes is currently following CDC recommendations regarding mask and social distancing policies.
The family would like to invite you to watch the funeral service online, Click here to view.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Obadiah “OJ” Joshua Lewis, Jr., please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Tuesday, December 21, 2021
10:00 - 11:30 am (Central time)
Baue Cave Springs, 3950 West Clay, 63301, MO
Funeral Service
Tuesday, December 21, 2021
Starts at 11:30 am (Central time)
Baue Cave Springs, 3950 West Clay, 63301, MO
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