Lewis Edward Dellinger

Lewis (Lew) Edward Dellinger, 93, of North Little Rock, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2014. Born October 16, 1921 in Athens, Georgia to Burgan and Mildred Dellinger, Lew grew up in Lead, South Dakota, where he worked in the gold mines after he graduated school. When World War II began, Lew volunteered for the Navy and was assigned to the USS Enterprise in Tokyo Japan. In 1947, he transferred to the Air Force, working in aircraft mechanics. After retiring as a Senior Master Sargeant in 1962, he started his second career, opening Pike Lanes Bowling Alley. Not only was he a bowling instructor, teaching hundreds of people to bowl, he was responsible for writing a bowling column in the local newspaper. His achievements included starting the Junior Bowling League, Director of the Bowling Proprietors of America, and President of the Arkansas State Bowling Proprietors Association.Inducted into the Arkansas State, City and Jacksonville Bowling Hall of Fame, Lew was considered "Mr. Bowling of Arkansas." Lew was a life member Tokyo Masonic Lodge #2, a 32 degree Mason, and a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Elks Lodge, and the American Legion. He also helped start the Arkansas Chapter of SMART (Special Military Active Retired Travelers), an RV traveling group. He is predeceased by his parents, his first wife Lorraine Mayo Dellinger, one brother, Alvin O. Dellinger, (Denver). Survived by his wife of 32 years, Ruby Dellinger; two sons, Lewis E. (Butch) Dellinger, Jr. (NLR); Roy Lee Dellinger, (Jacksonville); a daughter, Patricia Anne Bonacci (Jacksonville); three brothers: Paul Dellinger (Denver); John Dellinger (Denver); Thomas Dellinger (Redwood City, Calif.); four grandchildren: Lori Jeanette Woody (Maumelle); Lewis E. Dellinger III (LR); Michael Jay Bonacci (Jacksonville), Holly Minton (Cabot); and two great grandchildren. Visitation will be held at the Roller-Owens Funeral Home from 2-4 p.m. Sunday. Church services to be held at First Baptist of Sherwood, Monday at 10 a.m. Burial to be at Little Rock VA National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the First Baptist Church of Sherwood or the Arkansas Hospice Foundation. Online guest book www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/owens.