Lake Allan Lewis Jr.

Lake Allan Lewis Jr., age 59, of Hamburg, died Sunday, January 23, 2011. Born September 16, 1951 at Pine Bluff, Lake was the son of Jane Peer Lewis and the late Lake Allan Lewis. He was a 1969 graduate of Pine Bluff High School, and earned a Bachelor's degree in Fish and Wildlife Management from Arkansas Tech University. While in college, Lake began working at Petit Jean State Park, which led to his life's work as a naturalist. For ten years, his employment included the Arkansas State Parks Department where he worked at the Ozark Folk Center and Park Superintendent at Mt. Nebo and Village Creek State Parks. He then joined the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission in the Bayou Meto Wildlife Refuge, which put him back outdoors working on habitats for ducks and other waterfowl. For the past 20 years, he achieved his dream of working for the United States Fish and Wildlife Service at Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge, specifically in the Overflow National Refuge. Even his vacations seemed to be tied to his love of wildlife. While growing up in Pine Bluff, he was a member of First United Methodist Church. For a number of years, Lake had been a member of the First United Methodist Church of Hamburg, where he had served as a trustee. In addition to his mother, Lake's survivors include his son, Sanders Lake Lewis, a student at the University of Central Arkansas; his daughter, Layne Elizabeth Lewis, a student at Oklahoma City University; his sisters, Lynda Lewis Mayer and husband Jerry of Redfield and Lisa Lewis Boyer and husband Ed of Bensalem, Pa.; his niece and nephew, Deanna and Colton Boyer; a special cousin, Lue Bogy-Landsberger and her family; and also by a host of loving friends. Remaining true to his love of the Bayou Meto Wildlife Refuge, Lake's funeral service will be held Friday at 2:30 p.m. at Bayou Meto United Methodist Church in Jefferson County, with Reverend Ray Woods officiating. Interment follows in Bayou Meto Cemetery. Starting at 12:30 p.m., friends and family are invited to lunch and visitation. The family requests casual attire (camo and jeans welcome) to be worn. Pallbearers will be Charlie Proctor, Bernie Peterson, Jimmy Porter, Mike Weidener, Ernie Cook, Felix Smart, Joe Foote, Phil Barnes, Gene Barnes, Jim Barnes, Ron Beck, Larry Threet, Matthew Woods, Timmy Ray Walker, and Wendell Ashcraft. Contributions in Lake's memory may be made to the Stained-glass Window Restoration Fund or the Radio Ministry at First United Methodist Church, 202 S. Main Street, Hamburg, Ark. 71646; or to CaringBridge.org. Arrangements are by Fuller Hale-South Funeral Services of Pine Bluff. Online condolences: FullerFunerals.com.