Richard Ira Lewis Sr.

Flight Time: 9:00 p.m., Friday, May 23. 2014 Destination: To Be With Jesus In the land of God's tomorrow lies a city bright and fair; Beyond life's golden sunset and our loved one awaits us there; Tis a place of wondrous beauty where he knows no grief or fears and where God Himself in tenderness shall wipe away all tears; So we rejoice in knowing that our loved one has found peace in the land of God's tomorrow where His blessing never cease. OnFriday, May 23,2014, ourbeloved Richard Ira Lewis, Sr.ended this earthlylife and began his etemallife with our HeavenlyFather. A TIME TO BE BORN On July 29, 1991, Richard Ira Lewis, Sr. was born to Alexis Brown Maddox and Richard H. Lewis in Towson, Maryland. A TIME TO LIVE Richard, affectionately known as "Ira" was a native Baltimorean. He received his education in both the Baltimore City School System and the Catholic School System. In the 10th grade, Ira attended IDEA in Washington, DC, following his Army ROTC instructor, Major Lewis from Forest Park Senior High School, Baltimore, Maryland, whom he affectionately called "Pop". Later he returned to Baltimore and graduated from Mergenthaler Vocational Senior High School in 2009. Ira received many awards while in ROTC. After graduation, Ira attended CCBC upon receiving a scholarship from the White's Memorial Circle Scholarship Fund at Concord Baptist Churcl:h~:- Ira accepted Jesus the Christ as his Lord and Savior at an early age. One day, he expressed to Dr. Jones (his pastor) that he wanted to join the Church but was afraid to walk down the aisle alone. Dr. Jones explained that the deacon would take him down, but Ira said they looked scary. Dr. Jones asked, who would you like to walk with you, and Ira said, you. That next Sunday, which was Youth Sunday, Dr. Jones walked him down the aisle to join Concord Baptist Church. There, he was an usher, a boy scout, and a active participant in the youth ministry. Ira loved to attend the State Wide Institute and the National Baptist .Congress of Christian Education Conventions. Ira was employed with the State of Maryland, University of Maryland, Baltimore City. As a youngster, Ira worked with the summer camp at Concord one year. When he received his check which was a stipend of $25.00 for helping with the camp, he was so proud. The next summer, he began working with his favorite uncle "Tony" John Brown. When he received his first check, he could not believe his eyes! He thought he was rich, and that he had hit the jackpot. It was only when he starting working for Baltimore City Parks and Recreation as a Life Guard that he realized that money took a long time to make and a short time to spend. Ira was introduced to many sports: basketball, soccer, lacrosse, baseball, karate, and swimming (where he wanted to out do Brooke), but football was his niche and there he found his way. There he met some of the best mentors in the city and today we are still a family. Ira lived life to the fullest; always at full throttle. He was passionate in every activity he pursued. He played sports and rode his motorcycle hard. Fast and Furious describes his outlook on life. On December 12, 2012 at 12 o'clock noon, Ira married his love and friend, Katrina Crutch. Dr. Jones said, "they are getting married on 12·12·12 at 12." Ira loved Katrina so much, he had to marry her twice. The second time they married, the ceremony was officiated by Rev. Timothy McFadden. Ain't love grand! This union produced one child, Richard Ira Jr. Ira truly loved and valued his family and friends. You could always look forward to him wanting to sit in your lap or snuggle if you were an aunt or close cousin. He was loved by many and shall truly be missed by all that knew him. A TIME TO DIE Ira leaves to celebrate his memory, a loving and devoted wife, Katrina; four sons, Torrence, Damari, Dillan and Richard Ira Jr., parents: Richard H. Lewis and Rev. Kenneth and Alexis Maddox, one sister: Brooke A. Johnson Knighton (Roland), bonus siblings: Jade Root, Alexandra Maddox, Takiyah Lewis and Kenneth Jr., five aunts: Roslyn Bridgeforth, Tanya Jackson, Brandy Brown, Rosemary Vaughn, Deborah Lewis and Patricia Lewis; two uncles: Thomas Jr., and Michael Lewis, two nephews: Winston Knighton and Roland Knighton Jr., parents-in-law: Dexter and Victoria Caruth, one sister-in-law: Anitria Bullock (Jonathan), one brother-in-law: Carlton Crutch and a host of great aunts, great uncles, cousins, other family members and friends.

Tributes

Richard Ira Lewis Sr.

July 29, 1991 - May 23, 2014