Marvin (Frederick) Owen “Mo” Lewis

Fri, May 16 2008

— Marvin (Frederick) Owen “Mo” Lewis, M. D., 94, of Muskogee, Oklahoma, died Monday, May 5, 2008 at the Jack C. Montgomery Veterans Administration Medical Center in Muskogee, OK, following a brief illness. He was born August 6, 1913, in Schenectady, New York, the middle son of John Owen and Edna (Jennings) Lewis. He married Helen Ione Denman in Narberth, Pennsylvania on June 15, 1940, a marriage that lasted for over sixty-seven years.
In 1932, Mo graduated from Academy High School in Erie, Pennsylvania. This was just the beginning of an extensive education and career first with a degree in Ceramic Engineering from the Pennsylvania State College in 1938, which included being an exchange student to Lingnan University in Canton, China in 1935-36. He worked for Crane Co. from 1940-42. Then, into the medical profession, receiving his Doctorate of Medicine from Jefferson Medical College in 1946, joining USPHS in 1946, assigned as ship’s surgeon with rank of Captain on the U.S. Coast Guard cutter “Eagle” in 1950, and then continuing his career with the USPHS that spanned over a period of some 41 years. This career entailed many locations throughout the U.S. from Staten Island, NY, Ft. Worth, TX, Memphis, TN, Boston, MA, Narberth, PA, and retiring from the USPHS in 1966 in Tahlequah, OK, leaving the position of administrator of W. W. Hastings Hospital. Mo joined the federal government as a surgeon at the Muskogee Veteran’s Administration Medical Center with 21 years of service, retiring in 1987.
Retirement opened the door to the highways and by-ways of travel in Mo and Helen’s motorhome. Numerous trips spanned over the years to include an Alaskan trip in 1991 and a Newfoundland and Labrador trip in 1992. RV’ing was the love of Mo’s life, his fellowship with beloved GMCers and Good Sam members.
Mo’s was an avid supporter of the Boy Scouts of America, achieving the rank of Eagle Scout as a young man and continuing involvement as an executive of the BSA. He also was an avid supporter and lifetime member of the NRA. He was an accomplished marksman and also proficient in muzzleloaders. He also enjoyed his Ham Operators Radio Club.
Mo was preceded in death by his parents, brother Raymond of Texas, Franklin of Pennsylvania, and a grandson, James R. D. Lewis, Jr. of Houston, Texas.
Left behind to celebrate Mo’s life are his wife Helen of Muskogee, OK; son Dr. John D. Lewis and wife Sandy of Tucson, AZ; son Lt. Col. (Rtd.) James R. D. Lewis and wife Linda of Preston, OK; daughter Karen L. Lewis of Muskogee, OK; and son Raymond O. Lewis, and wife Diana of Muskogee, OK. His grandchildren include Stephanie Baughman and husband Keith of Muskogee, OK; Cindy Lewis of Dallas, TX; Raymond O. Lewis, Jr. of Porter, OK; Chrissy and Michael Lewis of Preston, OK; Rachel and Becky Lewis of Tucson, AZ; Kristin McCord and Scott Klinger of Tucson, AZ. Great-grandchildren are Keith Jr. and Karson Baughman of Muskogee, OK; Tanner, Miranda, and Trenton Lewis, and Tristan Wiedel of Muskogee, OK.
A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held at the First Assembly of God, 3100 Gulick, Muskogee, OK at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, May 10, 2008.
In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations to one of the following groups: the American Heart Association, The Parkinson’s Foundation, or The National Rifle Association.

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