Obituary of Milton Lee Lewis

The sun rose on the life of Mr. Milton Lee Lewis on May 23, 1941 in Bryant, Texas when he was born to Samuel Lewis and Mabel Johnson. The oldest of nine children, Milton grew up with four brothers, James, Matthew, Paul and Willie and three sisters, Vernell, Cathy and Joanne. "Milton was a momma's boy. He liked to go to the neighborhood ball park on Welton Street in Denver with his mother to watch the baseball games. He enjoyed going to the movies and circus with his parents and siblings." In the Busby-Lewis household, Milton was the eldest and a role that he took seriously was helping to rear the brothers and sisters that followed. All of his siblings looked up to him. He was always cool, calm and collected and put his family first. A memory of his young adulthood, "Milton and his friends were some of the coolest-good looking guys in the neighborhood. He, along with Levi, Charles, and Shaw, couldn't wait for the weekend. They would get their hair processed and dress up in their finest clothes. Back then the neighborhoods were much smaller and intimate; everybody knew each other. They would hop into their fancy suicide door cars and drive over to Welton Street and up and down 34th Street where the cool guys and prettiest girls hung out. Milton stood out because he was bowlegged and that drove the girls wild." Educated in the public school system, Milton graduated from Manual High School in Denver, Colorado. On July 25, 1965, Milton married Dorothy Jones whom he knew from high school. They enjoyed drive in movies and formal dances. To this union were born two children, Mark and Teresa. The marriage was later dissolved. On February 15, 1975, Milton married Francis Waden. "He always accepted her children, Cortez, Diane and Tina as his. He loved them, provided for them and remained friends with them all his life." The marriage was dissolved. On October 18, 1978 Milton married Ida Lewis. "They would groom each other. He permed her hair and she oiled and massaged his scalp." To this union was born one daughter, Tiara. All of the children remember his love of classic movies and art. He was a serious hard worker. His grandchildren, Emmanuel, Marcus, Erikka, Jordan, Michael, David, Elijah and Cordney remember "Pa-Pa whooped our butts for stealing change. He took Emmanuel to buy his first car." He loved them dearly and they knew it. A man of faith, Milton was a member of Zion Baptist Church. He was also a member of the Elks Lodge and an honorary member of DJIC. He was employed with the City and County of Denver Parks and Recreation Department in the position of Recreational Custodian. He had previously worked for over 20 years at Universal Blueprint Company. "He was well respected and loved by all, someone that the younger generation could look up to." In his free time, he enjoyed family, friends, fishing, reading, grilling, gardening and watching Western movies. His best friends, Washington Shawl, Charles Bell and "Levi" Lewis remember him fishing and being the quiet one that all the women were drawn to. "He was an amazing provider, educator and mentor. His personality was infectious, but most importantly, his strength will be missed." To know him was to love him. The sun set on the life of Mr. Milton Lee Lewis on February 8, 2016 when the Lord called him home to eternal rest. He is preceded in death by his wife, Ida; parents, and several siblings. Those left to cherish his memory include his son, Mark (Suzette) Lewis of Harrisburg, PA; daughters, Teresa Lewis-Buchanan, Tiara D. Lewis, both of Denver, CO and Eshal M. Folkes of Aurora, CO; step brothers, Willie Busby of Santa Ana, CA, James (Susan) Busby, Matthew (Darene) Busby, both of Denver, CO and Paul (Jessica) Busby of Aurora, CO; step sisters, Vernell Bearden and Cathy Busby, both of Denver, CO; seven grandchildren, three great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. Rest in peace...Milton