Virgil Escoe Lewis
Virgil Escoe Lewis age 80 of Polson passed away peacefully Saturday, November 7, 2009 at his home surrounded by his loving family.
Escoe was born October 29, 1929 in Hardin, Montana to Kenneth Arnold Lewis and Mary Escoe Rumfelt Lewis. He grew up in Hardin and graduated from Hardin High School in 1950. He entered the United States Navy and was honorably discharged in 1951. In 1952 he was inducted into the Army at Fort Hood, Texas, and in 1954 he transferred to the Army Reserve and was honorably discharged in 1959.
In 1954 he married Billie LaFern Brown in Hardin and moved to Billings where their four children were born. He worked for Allis Chalmers for a year, and then in 1955 began a 23-year career with the US Postal Service.
In 1970 he married Violet Viola Pinkerman, stewardess with Western Airlines. He clipped her wings and they relocated with the postal service to Kalispell in 1971. In 1978 he retired and moved to the East Shore of Flathead Lake where he and Vi worked their cherry orchard, golfed, and enjoyed lake living.
He was a self-taught craftsman, he loved making beautiful wood items including cabinets, chests and small lathe turned pieces for many family members and friends. He loved people and people loved him, he was well known for his witty sense of humor. His electric personality brightened the days of everyone around him. His personality was one that made you feel good. He was a loving and caring husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend to us all. We will miss him very much.
Escoe was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Sheryl (Shari) Lynn, and brothers Robert William and Kenneth Elmer. He is surivived by his wife of 40 years Viola, sisters; Ruth Pinkerman of Polson, and Rosemary Jensen of Pasco, Washington; children Merrie Gale (Craig) Padilla, of Polson, Mark Anthony (Sharon) of Portland, Oregon, Steven Escoe (Terri) of Belgrade, Mt, and grandchildren Jason, Emily, and Alicia; great granddaughter Lucy Ella, nieces Debbie, Karen, Mary, Kari, and Lisa and one nephew, Kenneth Paul (Kip) Giles.
In lieu of flowers please donate to the Lake County search and Rescue or any charitable organization of you choice. There will be a memorial service with military honors for V. Escoe Lewis held at the Polson Lakeview Cemetery on Saturday, November 21, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. At 4:00 p.m. that evening there will be a gathering of family and friends at the home of V. Escoe and V. Viola Lewis, located on the East Shore of Flathead Lake. Grogan Funeral Home and Crematory, Polson, is assisting the family. www.groganfuneralhome.com
Merrie… I can’t even begin to imagine the loss you are feeling at this time. Know that my thoughts and prayers are with you..
Love,
Cinda
The Salish Kootenai College family sends their condolences to your immediate and extended family for your loss of Merrie’s dad and your loved one. We are thankful that he is free of pain and dancing with the angels.
Memories go back a long way. Escoe worked on our farm in the Sarpy country somewhere around 1949-50. Best regards to Vi, Merry, Mark and Steven. Escoe was a special person to me. Memories are good and will remain. From Len Redding in Missouri
Mark… Just received notice of your dad’s passing from my dad. So sorry to hear of your loss. Love and prayers to you and your family.
Vicki
Dearest Family: I just wanted to say that I am so sorry for your loss of Uncle Escoe. I remember him from so long ago, but he was my Uncle. Well, we lost Mom, Uncle Orville and Uncle Escoe in 2009. Take Care Merrie, Mark and Steven, My concolances to all the rest of your family as well. Time will heal, Love Theresa
Merrie and family-
I am really sorry for your loss, I am sure your dad was a very special man and will be greatly missed. I am here for you, and want you to know you are in my prayers and hearts. Take care. Always your friends, MaryRose & Kids
I live in Missoula but lived next door to Escoe Lewis (we called him “Ec”) in Billings from 1955-1958, at which time we (my mother, father, two brothers and sister) moved to Missoula. My father Ralph “Rocky” Craig was friends with Ec, despite the difference in their ages (Dad would be 91 if he were living). I recall Ec as a tall, lanky, good looking fellow but really didn’t know him well as I was a young teenager and was occupied with teenage things. I can see from his obituary that he was obviously a very interesting, loving, funny man and I know that you will miss his presence. My condolences to you all.
Escoe was a great guy., fun loving and funny all the time….what a great guy…..and i only knew him so long ago its nuts. Escoe was a good friend of my brother Harland “Huts” or Hutsie., those two were inseperable in their teen years in Hardin and I remember Escoe being so tall and lankie., never gained an ounce., one of those…..tall an thin dudes. I am sure Harlan will not write on the internet., he may send a card and i hope he does but i couldn’t pass it up. I had stopped in at his place on the lake there but no one home or something., also knew the thomas’s close by so visited with bobby for awhile and went on my biz….trying to think of that cove there on the lake but can’t., had dinner an drinks in there several times but no see escoe…..will miss him in life but the memories will go on for my life about Escoe Lewis and his first wife too of billie brown., great gal too and her parents were good friends of my folks and the lewis to were great people., ole ken did saw sharpening on the side and worked at holy sugar where my dad alvin use to work also. So mote it be Escoe., your life will never be forgotten. Sincerely Jerry Nordquist and for my brothers Harlan & Roger., Roger passed on aprox 3yrs ago and Huts still going pretty good.
To Violet and family:
We were sorry to hear of Excoe’s death and want you to know that he had a great deal of influance in my life. We workwed together as clerks in the Billings Post Office,. He made me laugh and enjoy my work and I was sorry he moved to Kalispel, but also was happy for him. We had moved into our first home in 1961 south of Laurel and it was small with out closets in the bedroom. I had Esco build my closets and he did it for cost. The world is a better place with his being here and wanted you to know he left his mark. Even though I eventually became the Director of Mail Processing for Billings, my most memorable days in the Postal Service was when we worked in the small office down town and we had so much fun. Just wanted you to know.
Marion and Rose Coleman
1308 Babcock Circle
Billings, Mt 59105
When I was in high school in Billings between 1962-1965, I lived with my sister and her family across from Escoe and his family. I believe he worked at the post office in downtown Billings at the time. My best friend and I were stranded on Montana Ave, a rather rough part of town at the time, when her car quit. We were sitting there lamenting our plight and afraid to get out of the car. Escoe drove by and we jumped out and started running after him thinking he would give us a ride. He didn’t stop and in fact ran a red light to get away from us. By that time however, we were in a safer part of town and could call the auto shop to go pick up my friend’s car.
Escoe, when he got home told my sister that the strangest thing had happened on Montana Ave. He said two teenage girls had chased him down Montana Ave and they were yelling my name. He didn’t have a clue how we happened to know his name but we sure did. He said not only did they keep chasing him, but that he had to run a red light to get away from us.
When I got home I told my sister of our plight and how Escoe wouldn’t stop for us. She laughed out loud and we went to tell Escoe who he had left behind on Montana Ave. He got a big kick out of it.
I hope this story brings to mind many fond memories of Escoe and a bit of joy in the remembering of him.
Janet Gregg
Escoe will be greatly missed. I am very sorry for your loss. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. Wanda
Vi, I am so sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you and your family.
Was so sad to hear about Escoe’s passing today. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family who loved him.
I Am sorry to hear of Escoe’s passing. I loved having him for an uncle. And even though I had not seen him for many decades, I still have fond childhood memories. My sympaty to his family and friends.
Patty Clawson Polda
Belingham, Washington
Vi,
My sincere condolances to you and your family.
Vi,
You are in my thoughts and prayers. You and Escoe used to make my day when you’d come into First Citizens Bank. You had such a great relationship, made each other and everyone around you laugh. He will be missed. Hang in there. Lisa Skalsky
It was fun knowing Escoe these last 30-40 years and we will miss him and his wonderful sense of humor. Gil & Joanne Mangels
I would like to extend condolances to the Lewis family for the loss of Escoe. I never knew Escoe but have recently been working on my family history and from that I know that he was my mother’s (Vivian Lewis Kimball) cousin. I remember my mother mentioning Escoe as one of the Hardin relatives. Escoe’s father, Kenneth, and my grandfather, Clyde Lewis were brothers. I was so astounded to see his obituary in the Billings Gazette and to have a picture and be able to read about him. I wish I could have known him. Our branch of the family has pretty much lost track of other branches of the Lewises. My older sister, Joan Cunningham, knew Rosemary when they were high school/college age but she says she had no response to the last Christmas card she sent so has lost track of Rosemary’s current address. Anyway, I thought I would let you know that his passing has been noted by others in the family and we have you in our thoughts even if we have never met.
I am sorry for your loss. I loved Uncle Escoe.
Chipper
Hi Vi,
My brother Joe in Arkansas sent me the email about Escoe’s death. Joe sends me information about people passing when he thinks I knew them.
I am so sorry, Vi, and I enjoyed visiting with you folks during our class reunions in Polson. In fact, I was hoping there would be an “all school” reunion next year, but when I called JoAnne Cline Rekston she said she had done it twice and wasn’t going to do it again. So, unless they find someone, there won’t be one. I was looking forward to seeing you two again. Seems like our class of 1948 is getting smaller every year.
My prayers are for God to give you the peace and strength you will need. Escoe was a great guy and you are a great gal!
Love,
Lorraine Skabronski Peck
Seattle, Washington
I am sorry to learn about the death of Virgil Escoe Lewis. This must have been a difficult time for all. Therefore, I am forwarding scripture to bring solace. Please, read the following scriptures: Psalm 90:10, Genesis 5:3-32 and Hebrews 9:27.
i was wonder if we are family, i am from jamaica.