Hershel “Buddy” Lewis

Hershel “Buddy” Lewis, age 89, died Saturday, June 1, 2024, at Wheatridge Park Care Center in Liberal. He was born April 3, 1935, at the family farm in Morton County, Kansas, the son of Ercel Porter and Edith Mae (Raine) Lewis.

Buddy grew up in Morton County. He joined the United States Air Force in 1952 and served four years in the Air Borne Strategic Air Command. After he was honorably discharged, he attended Fort Hays State University for three semesters. He then returned to Morton County and married Barbara Leaton on August 10, 1958, in Elkhart. He was a farmer and rancher, crop adjuster for Wells Fargo for numerous years, and worked on oil rigs for many years. Buddy held private, commercial, and multi-engine pilot licenses and enjoyed flying, golfing, fishing, tinkering around on the farm, and going to the coffee shop to meet up with friends. He was a member of the First Baptist Church.

Buddy is survived by his wife, Barbara, of their home; sons, Kyle Lewis and wife, Dayna, of St. George, Utah, and Kenneth Lewis and wife, Sunee, of Leawood, Kansas; four grandchildren, Paul Lewis, Mark Lewis, Katelyn Lewis, and Margo Lewis; and one great-grandchild, Waylon Lewis.

Buddy is preceded in death by his parents, and five sisters, VaLera Young, Anna Bea Pressee, June Simmons, Cora Mae Juarsevich, and Gloria Lawrence.

Funeral service will be Wednesday, June 5, 2024, at 10:00 AM at the First Baptist Church in Elkhart with Pastor Ed Richards officiating. The funeral service will be available on Garnand Funeral Home Facebook page. Interment will follow at the Elkhart Cemetery with military rites. Visitation will be Tuesday, June 4, 2024, from 2:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Garnand Funeral Home in Elkhart. Arrangements are in care of Garnand Funeral Home, PO Box 854, Elkhart, KS 67950. Condolences may be posted at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com.