Lewis Gum, age 86, of Johnson, Kansas died Friday, May 18, 2012 at Stanton County Hospital, Johnson, KS. He was born November 2, 1925 on his parent’s farmstead in rural Stanton County, Kansas, the son of Charles Maxie and Matilda Caroline (Molz) Gum.

Lewis bought his father’s homestead and farmed it his entire life. He was a 4-H leader and served on the extension council. Lewis was an advocate for conservation dams and terraces. He served on the boards for the ASCS, Johnson Coop and Farm Bureau. Lewis was an innovator of no-till farming in the 1970s, as well as an avid hunter, outdoorsman, and raised registered Hereford cattle.

On August 27, 1948 Lewis married Mary Ellen Wilson at Ulysses, Kansas, she survives.

Other survivors include two sons; Lewis Ted Gum and wife Barbara of Dennis, Kansas, and Jerry Allen Gum and wife Suzy of Johnson, Kansas, two daughters; Maxine Loraine Hines and husband Bruce of Coolidge, Kansas and Carolyn Sue Weskamp and husband Dan of Nixa, Missouri, eleven grandchildren; Trevor Gum, Tamara Sears, Travis Hines, Caitlin Cole, Andrew Weskamp, Bret Gum, Adrian Gum, Gunner Gum, Samantha Gum, Carlee Gum and Jeffrey Gum, three step-grandchildren; Jeremy Hoose, Stacy Diamond and Keith Hoose, three great-grandchildren and 2 step great-grandchildren.

Lewis is preceded in death by his parents Maxie and Tillie Gum.

Funeral service will be held Wednesday, May 23, 2012, 10:00 a.m. at Fields Memorial Wesleyan Church, Johnson, KS with Reverend Dave Kaufmann officiating. Burial will follow at the Stanton County Cemetery, Johnson, Kansas. Friends may call from 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. with family present from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 22, 2012 at Garnand Funeral Home, Johnson, Kansas. The family suggests memorials be given to Fields Memorial Wesleyan Church or Memorial Living Center in care of Garnand Funeral Home, PO Box 715 Johnson, Kansas 67855.