Msgt. Lewis Washington

On Memorial Day, May 30, 2011, Msgt Lewis Washington, 64, went home to rest.

He was born in Wade, Fla., the sixth of eight surviving children, and a member of the A. L. Mebane Class of 1965.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Oscar and Lula B. McDonald Washington; brother, Willie C. Washington; sister, Beatrice Washington Canty; great niece Tiawana Michele Wheeler; and nephew John Henry Washington.

Survivors include his wife of 35 years, Erika Banasik Washington of Alachua; mother-in-law, Inge Banasik of Stuttgart, Germany; siblings, Ruth W. Jenkins (former brother-in-law Walter Jenkins, Jr.) of Alachua, Annie Ray W. (Elder Charles) Butler of Orlando, Dave Washington, Nathaniel (Ethel) Washington, all of Alachua, Isadore (Rose Mary) Washington of Ft. Myers, and Ruthie Mae Washington of Gainesville; brother and sister-in-law Klaus (Sabine) Banasik and Sylvia Tisino.

He was received into Heaven from his earthly home where he resided for nearly five years after his retirement.  General James P. “Jim” McCarthy accepted his retirement from the Army after 27 years of active duty, and then hired him as a civil service employee to continue serving as House Manager for some 14 Deputy Commanders of the European Command.

General William “Kip” Ward, the 14^th and last Deputy Commander Lewis served, reigned over the Nov. 22, 2006 federal employment retirement festivities concluding 14 of his 41 years of military and government service.  No other army personnel ever achieved such a feat. Then President George W. Bush sent a letter of commendation which was read at the retirement ceremony.

Msgt. Washington also traveled the world competing and winning numerous racquetball titles in the United States All-Army Racquetball Tournaments.  Having dominated as the champion for decades, he won exhibition matches against the German national champion bringing pride to the United States, not unlike that famous Ambassador of Sports, Jesse Owens in the 1936 Olympics.

Funeral services for Msgt. Washington will be Saturday, June 11, 2011 at A. L. Mebane Middle School, 16401 NW 140^th Street (Hwy 241).  Alachua burial will follow in St. Matthews Cemetery.  Visitation will be held Friday at the funeral home from 6-7 p.m.

Arrangements Entrusted to A. Jerome Brown Funeral Home, High Springs.