Donald Lewis

BRAZEAU, Mo. -- Donald Kneibert Lewis, 72, of Brazeau passed away Thursday, Oct. 8, 2020, at Mercy South Hospital.

He was born Jan. 27, 1948, in Jackson to Richard and Mary Elizabeth Kneibert Lewis.

Don was a 1967 graduate of Jackson High School, where he played football and was proud of dressing up as "Chief Rearing Horse" in a parade. He was an avid Indians fan and St. Louis Cardinals fan.

He proudly served in the U.S. Army in the Vietnam War. After his service, he took over his father's Mobil Oil distributor business and later sold the business and went to work selling automobiles for Ford Motor Co. Don later was a bus driver for Jackson School District, drove for SEMO Ready Mix and retired from RMC Perryville. After his retirement, he drove for Superior Ag.

Don was a fourth-degree member of the Knights of Columbus, a lifetime member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3838 and lifelong member of American Legion Post 158. He participated in the American Legion Honor Guard, donated almost 10 gallons of blood, was a volunteer Jackson fire fighter and Brazeau Cemetery Association treasurer and was often referred to as the "Mayor of Brazeau" and "Smokey the Bear."

Don loved to volunteer, hunt and go camping and was a bluebird enthusiast. He was known as a cornucopia of history and family information. He loved to talk with people and could easily strike up a conversation with a stranger.

Don is survived by his wife of 26 wonderful years, Rebecca "Becky" Weber Lewis; beautiful daughters, Heather (Wayne) Brown of Jackson and Heidi (Scott) Little of Jackson; brother, Robert (Jean) Lewis of Port Angles, Washington; sister, Mary Ann Haynes of Cape Girardeau; stepsons, Aaron (Amanda) Hager of Frohna, Missouri, Joshua (Jerry Scott) Hager of Dallas, Lucas (Kristin) Hager of Altenburg, Missouri; and Cody (Chelsey W.) Hager of Chicago.

Don was a much loved papa and shared a special relationship with each of his seven grandchildren, Nicholas and Joshua McIntyre, Guthrie and Avery Hume, and Madilynn, Jackson and Will Hager. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews, and other members of his extended family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Mary Elizabeth Kneibert Lewis, and beloved brother, Richard "Dick" Cyrus Lewis.

The family will have a private funeral service at Brazeau Presbyterian Church, where there will be an Honor Guard service following in the Brazeau Cemetery.

A campfire celebration of life will be from 2 to 6 p.m. Nov. 7 outside the Brazeau Hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Brazeau Cemetery Association or Brazeau Presbyterian Church at 106 Church Lane, Frohna, MO 63748; Cape Girardeau County History Center, 102 S. High St., Jackson, MO 63755, or your local American Legion Post.

Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be shared at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.