My amazing Grandpa passed away December 24, 2007. He finally made it
home.The following is his obituary from the Deseret News. It's long but extremely worth the read.
Horace LeGrande Lewis 1917 ~ 2007 BOUNTIFUL- Horace LeGrande Lewis age 90 passed away Dec. 24, 2007 due to complications from Parkinson's disease. He was born July 28, 1917 on a dry farm near Burley, Idaho to Horace Edward and Maria Elizabeth Christensen Lewis, the youngest of a family of seven. He married Patty Ione Smith of Rexburg, Idaho on Dec. 24, 1942. The marriage was later solemnized June 17, 1943 in the Salt Lake Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah. Patty passed away on Feb. 23, 1950 with acute leukemia. They had two daughters. He married Shirley Laura Erskine Dunlop, a widow with a young son on November 24, 1950. She passed away June 24, 2003. LeGrande's family moved to Provo, Utah in the summer of 1923, where he attended Provo City schools, graduating from Provo High in 1935. He then attended BYU, graduating in 1939 with degrees in Physics and Math. Following graduation he moved to Los Angeles, California and worked for Lockheed Aircraft Corporation. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps as a meteorology cadet in the summer of 1942 and did graduate work in meteorology at UCLA. He was assigned to the 8th Weather Squadron, serving in the South Atlantic, Brazil, and Ascension Island during World War II. After discharge from the Army Air Corps in the summer of 1946 with the rank of Captain and four years of military service, he began working for the U.S. Weather Bureau in Salt Lake City, Utah, retiring in 1977. LeGrande was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints all of his life. Shortly after they were married, he and Shirley were called as Ward and Stake Dance Directors and in 1961 were called as a couple to the YMMIA and YWMIA General Boards where they served four years. LeGrande continued for another year on the Dance Committee. He then served for seven years on the YMMIA General Board Explorer Committee. He was an avid scouter having earned the rank of an Eagle Scout as a youth. He received the Local District Award and the Silver Beaver Award, continuing in active scouting leadership positions until after his 80th birthday. He served in three bishoprics and as Bishop of the Val Verda 6th Ward. He and Shirley served a mission in the California Oakland Mission from 1990-1991. LeGrande loved his family. He was happiest when they were together. Each birthday was an excuse for a family reunion. He enjoyed traveling and was able to visit Europe, Africa, Central and South America, Canada, Hawaii, the Holy Lands, and the Caribbean. He loved gardening flowers, fruits, and vegetables, and grew almost every variety that did well at this climate, and was willing to share with family and friends. LeGrande built a variety of things during his lifetime. This included two houses, three motor boats, trailers, campers, and an assortment of toys for his children and grandchildren. He was often fixing or improving mechanical equipment and was ready to repair things for anyone that needed help. He was always looking for a better way to build or repair an item. Preceded in death by his two wives and
one great grandson. He is survived by six children, James P. (Joyce) Dunlop, Barbara (Mark) Clary, Kathy (Bart) Larsen, Connie (Douglas) Jenkins, Kristine (Craig) Olson, and Stephen L. (Maria) Lewis, 28 grandchildren, and 32 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Sat. December 29, 2007 at 1 p.m. at the Val Verda Stake Center, 500 W. 2600 S. Friends may call Fri. evening from 6-8 p.m. at the Russon Brothers Bountiful Mortuary, 295 N. Main and Sat. 11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. at the church prior to services. Interment Provo City Cemetery. Online guest book and direction map at www.russonmortuary.com
Love you Grandpa. I hope the reunions are as great as we think they will be.
