Thomas (Tommy) Hiram Lewis, 78, of Savannah, departed this life on Friday, Nov. 22. Tommy was born on Sept. 1, 1946, to the late Grady (Cowboy) Rye Lewis and Willie Inez (Grannie) Falls Lewis.
He was raised in the Olivet Cumberland Presbyterian Church that he attended with his parents. He served in the U.S. Army and was a veteran of the Vietnam War. Also, he was the Commander of VFW Post 4606 in Savannah.
Tommy retired from the paper mill in Counce after 43 1/2 years of service. During his paper mill years, he was a millwright and served as a first responder on their team. He was an avid street rodder who owned a 1946 Chevrolet pickup that had belonged to his uncle. Also, he was the West Tennessee Safety inspector for the National Street Rod Association.
He never met a stranger and lived his life to the fullest, making many lifelong friends along the way. He was affectionately known as “Motor Mouth” by his many paper mill friends as he was never at a loss for words. He was also known as “Cowboy” by all the street rodders because he was never without his cowboy hat at any car event.
After retirement he got very involved with the local VFW post and volunteered by attending veterans’ events and doing ceremonies at veterans’ funerals. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends, fellow veterans and the many street rodders that he knew.
He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Connie Perry Lewis; sons, Shane Lewis (Judy) and Jason Lewis (Carol); daughter, Candice Lewis Warren (Justin); grandchildren, James Lewis, Rodney Lewis, Nick Lewis, Riley Warren, and Sophie Warren; and a great-grandson, Greyson Lewis.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Sue Lewis Ritter. He also leaves behind many close friends and family members.
He will be laid to rest at Neill Cemetery along side his mother and father in the Olivet Community that he loved, where he grew up, and lived most of his life.
The family requests memorial donations may be made to the VFW Post 4606 or The Sheltering Tree.
Memorial services were held on Wednesday, Nov. 27, at Shackelford Funeral Directors in Savannah, with Justin Warren, Lanny Sartor and Daniel Holt officiating. Burial will follow at Neill Cemetery in Savannah.