By admin | May 27th, 2009

Lewis: Author, screenwriter Jack Lewis dies in Hawaii

Author Jack Lewis died May 24, 2009.

UPDATE: Funeral services for Jack Lewis will be held at the Star of the Sea Church on Thursday, June 11 at 10 a.m. They will conclude at his home where his cremains will be strewn upon the ocean. For those of you who may remember, the Star of the Sea Church was the “survivor” when the Kilauea Volcano blew up years ago. It was relocated and is now a non-denominational church. I have spoken with both his wife, Stephanie, and his personal representative, Mark Kaminski. Mark indicated that Jack was never “big” on flowers so they were not being encouraged. — Jack Paxton.

“LtCol. Jack Lewis died Saturday May 24, 2009. He died due to a fight with lung cancer. He lived a long and celebrated life. A war hero, stunt man, book writer, editor, business owner, and father to three sons and two daughters as well as a grandfather to three grandsons and five grand daughters. He was loved and respected. We will all miss him.” – Kehau Kuala, his daughter

From Jack Paxton: Don O’Neal originally notified CCHQ Tuesday afternoon. I am attempting to reach Stephanie, his new bride, that many of you met in San Antonio, for any details. All will be posted on the website later today. You will note there is a Comments link below. Please share you thoughts about this legendary character who we all thought so much of.

Don O'Neal

May 27th, 2009 at 09:0

Jack Lewis, who was for many of us, the heart and soul of the U. S. Marine Corps Combat Correspondents Association, passed away May 24 in Hawaii ending his valiant fight against lung cancer. Jack found joy in his final days through his marriage to Stephanie, whom some of you met at the San Antonio conference. They were married on May 18. Unfortunately he died the following week. Stephanie says that Jack died as he lived, on his terms and joking as he left this world.

The Combat Correspondents Association has lost one of it’s true legends. During the darkest of times for the association, it was Jack’s personal generosity that kept us afloat. It can truly be said that if there had been no Jack Lewis, today there would be no USMCCCA. He will be greatly missed

kvstark

May 27th, 2009 at 10:0

What a character. Many a conference, Col Jack and I would sit (and drink) at the command post where he would tell me stories about CCs past and present. His mentoring to me when I was young Marine and CC was greatly appreciated.

I will miss the wise, knowing eyes and the ever present cheroot.

George Chrisman

May 27th, 2009 at 15:0

null From the moment I first met Jack in Hawaii in 1953, I have admired him as one great Marine. One of the highlights of my life happened a couple years ago when Jack showed Helen and me “his” Hawaii, far removed from the tourist trail. We will miss Jack, but we are grateful for the times we had together. What a life he led!
Semper Fi, George and Helen Chrisman

Steve Stibbons

May 28th, 2009 at 08:0

null Jack was a dear friend and mentor for more than 59 years. We met at NAS Dallas in 1955 when he flew in to do an article for Leatherneck on the MARTD where I was a brand new corporal training reservists. It was Jack who first alerted me that there was such an MOS as Marine journalist. It changed my life forever.

Nearly two decades later, in 1973, I was privileged to be a member of the notorious Public Affairs “Fire Team from Hell” covering Operation Alkali Canyon in the Mojave Desert — led by Lt.Col. Jack Lewis and including Cpl. Keith Oliver and GySgt. Cochise Cash. (See attached photo, at Orlando USMC CCA reunion)

As they would have said in one of his westerns, Jack was one of the good guys who wore a white hat. May he rest in peace. Semper Fidelis.

Vicki Conkel Turney

May 28th, 2009 at 09:0

null “Jack had a recognizable voice and an appreciated sense of humor. A gentleman who would tell you what he thought whether you asked or not. But you just knew he had learned the hard way and was taking care of you. I first met him in the San Diego CC chapter in the mid-80s and after a conference absence of a decade plus it was my pleasure and blessing to hang out with him and Stephanie at the San Antonio conference.

He was a legend. I am honored to have known him and to have the memories.

I will miss you Jack … Happy Trails my friend.”
Vicki Conkel Turney

Jon Abel

May 28th, 2009 at 14:0

At one point – i think it was in Vietnam – Jack and I spent an evening talking about guns – as most gun nuts do – and I mentioned my membership in The North/South Skirmish Association and my competing with firearms of the Civil War period. Jack was quite interested and asked me, when I got back to CONUS, if I would submit an article with photos for his publication, “Gun World” which I proceeded to put together after one of the N/SSA’s National Skirmishes.

I sent it off to Jack, didn’t hear anything and then one day I was cruising a magazine stand and there it was in all it’s photographic and informative detail. I was now a published author in a national magazine! Then I realized i hadn’t cleared the article with the N/ SSA. Maybe some legal problems there. However, at the next Nationals there were stacks of reprints available for all attendees.

Jack also had something of a free-wheeling side to him. It wasn’t too much later when, again, cruising the publications section at a gun store, I spied a copy of “Black Powder Digest.” Yup. It featured an article on black powder competition shooting and there, amongst others, were my photos but no credit lines and there certainly had not been another check. It was great appearing in another national pub, but, hey! I was a professional now and should receive some sort of restitution! I wrote Jack, he admitted the oversight and a check followed thereafter.

Jack will be missed, but how he lived as long as he did smoking those little cigarillos is a mystery to me and a testament to his constitution.

2009 – Deaths L-O « The Graveyard

January 1st, 2010 at 11:0

[...] Col. Jack (November 13, 1924 – May 24, 2009) co-founder: Gun World magazine IMDB; LA Times; USMCCCA tribute Leyland, Mike (1941 – September 14, 2009) ABC News obit; The Australian obit; Chris Edwards [...]