Lewis Wade Partridge

Dr. Lewis Wade Partridge, age 76, of Benton, Arkansas passed away on August 2, 2017. He was born on February 6, 1941, not far from Dardanelle in Yell County, Arkansas. His parents are the late Norma Lee Fletcher Partridge, and Coy Ally Partridge. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two daughters, Jodie and Joy, one grandson, Keagan Schweikle He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Sandra Tucker Partridge; son, Wade Partridge, and wife, Julie, daughter, Piper Partridge, all of Benton; four grandsons, Tucker Partridge and Fletcher Partridge, of Benton; Nicholas Schweikle and Jack Schweikle, of Naples, Florida; and son-in-law, Dominic Schweikle, of Naples, Florida; two brothers, Gerald Partridge and wife, Linda, of Grandview, Missouri, and Cody Partridge and wife, Trish, of North Little Rock, Arkansas. He is also survived by a large extended family of beloved uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Lewis spent his youth on a family farm, and believed that John Grisham's novel, "A Painted House", could just as easily have been written about his family's life in Lincoln County, Arkansas. He graduated from Gould High School, attended the University of Arkansas at Monticello, the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, and Oklahoma State University, where he graduated as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. He practiced veterinary medicine for 50 years, with 40 of those in Benton, Arkansas, and was fond of joking that, "Veterinarians must be smarter than M.D.s, because our patients can't tell us where it hurts." Known affectionately as "Doc" by many of his clients, his personality and passion made him a beloved member of the Saline County community for decades. He was one of the founders of The Jodie Partridge Center in Dumas, Arkansas, served as a Board Member for the Arkansas Veterinary Medical Association, and numerous committees and boards in his Church and community. Lewis rarely met a stranger, and deeply loved his family, friends, Church, the Roundtable Sunday School class; and perhaps rivaling the others, the St. Louis Cardinals and the Arkansas Razorbacks. In most cases, his love would manifest itself through acts of service. He was quick to volunteer for a building project, deliver a smoked ham to grieving families, provide Esau's Corn to new members of his Church, or bring a plate of his famous fudge to a tailgate party. He was an avid storyteller, rarely allowing the facts to interfere with a good story; and felt that a good story should be retold at least annually and on special occasions. Prior to his recent illnesses, Lewis had an amazing energy and zest for life, usually entering the room loudly and laughingly. His passion for people and his genuine desire to serve will be greatly missed. In short, his was a life well-lived and a profound legacy for those who loved him. Visitation will be held on Sunday, August 6th from 3-5 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Benton, Arkansas in the Christian Life Center. A Celebration of Life and Faith will be held on Monday, August 7th at 10 a.m. in the First United Methodist Church Sanctuary with Rev. Ben Crismon and Rev. Zeke Allen officiating. A graveside ceremony will follow on Monday at 3 p.m. at Walnut Lake Cemetery in Dumas, Arkansas. Memorials may be made to The Jodie Partridge Center in Dumas, Arkansas or the First United Methodist Church Legacy Fund in Benton, Arkansas. The family wishes to thank the doctors and nurses at Saline Memorial Hospital and St. Vincent Infirmary for their exceptional care and service. On line guestbook at www.ashbyfuneralhome.com.