Imer Dean Lewis

Imer Dean Lewis, 95, of Nevada, Mo., passed away on May 24. Dean was born in Burtville, Mo., on June 16, 1926, to Oscar and Mayme Lewis.

Dean spent his school years in the Warrensburg, Mo., area helping with his family’s small farm. He entered the Army in 1944 and served with the 6th and 1st armored division in central Europe. He seldom discussed details or specifics of his war combat endeavors with family members. A future brother-in-law once said about Dean – those involved with severe fighting action rarely discuss it; those who did not see heavy fighting talk about it. Still on active duty at the end of the European conflict, typing skills learned from his senior year at Warrensburg High School became another valuable weapon as he was assigned to type and record massive amounts of German records that would be available for the upcoming war trials. Upon returning home with the rank of Sergeant after his Army duty was completed in 1946, he used the advantages of the GI Bill to earn a degree from Central Missouri State College (now the University of Central Missouri) graduating in 1950.

In 1948, he married a Lexington, Mo., girl by the name of Elizabeth Jean Culley. They were married until her passing in 2015. After college graduation, Dean began a long career with the Missouri Public Service Company. His job with MoPub required him and his family to have multiple transfers throughout Missouri; including time periods in Raytown, Trenton, Lee’s Summit, Nevada and Lexington. He and Betty also raised two sons, Chuck and Paul, and were always actively involved in their boys’ Scouting, school, sports and other events.

In addition during his work life, Dean was very engaged with civic groups, especially Rotary Clubs. He was very proud of his Rotarian membership and would strive to always be in a community that had a Rotary Club meeting when he would travel throughout Missouri so that he never missed a meeting.

He was President of the Nevada Chamber of Commerce in 1972 and served on the Nevada Industrial Development Board. He was recognized as the Business Man of the Year by the Lexington Chamber of Commerce in 1982.

Dean subsequently retired in 1989 from MoPub (then called Utilicorp) and began his second career in travelling and grandparenting. He and Betty became Winter Texans for many years – heading to Padre Island after the presents were opened on Christmas and not returning to Missouri until early spring.

In Nevada, his roses were well recognized (and sometimes snipped without his approval!) and appreciated. His strong religious faith lead him to membership in Presbyterian churches at each Missouri community in which the family lived.

Along with his spouse, he was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters; and a brother. He is survived by his son, Chuck (Lisa) of Lee’s Summit; his son, Paul (Stacey) of Nevada; sister-in-law, Bonnie Culley of Jefferson City; along with three grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m., Tuesday, May 31, at Ferry Funeral Home, in Nevada. The family will receive friends 10 to 11 a.m., prior to the service. Interment with military funeral honors will follow in Newton Burial Park, Nevada.

The family requests no flowers but suggests contributions to the Nevada Community Outreach or to the Nevada CCPA.

View obituary and send condolences on line at www.ferryfuneralhome.com.