Kermit James “K.J.” “Jim” Lewis, the son of Kermit Edward and Eathel Mae (Vaughn) Lewis, was born November 16, 1946, in Maryville, Missouri. K.J., as he was affectionately known, attended Fairfax High School, Fairfax, Missouri, graduating in 1964. On May 5, 1966, K.J. was drafted into the United States Army and served his country in the Vietnam Theatre. After receiving his honorable discharge on March 1, 1968, K.J. attended Northwest Missouri State University on the GI Bill and graduated with an Agricultural Business Bachelor of Science degree.

On August 9, 1979, K.J. was united in marriage to Chris (Perry) Hill in Rock Port, Missouri, and they raised four children: Cory Hill, Jeremy Lewis, Marcie Hill, and Jill Lewis.

In the early 1970s, K.J. was employed for over 20 years by the Bank of Atchison County as a Loan Officer. For a short time, he worked for the Maple Tree Financial Group as a Financial Advisor. In 1990, K.J. became the American Family Insurance Agent and graciously served his clientele in the Northwest Missouri area until retiring in 2017. K.J. passed away Monday, November 23, 2020, in Lincoln, Nebraska, at the age of 74.

K.J. was a dedicated member of the First Lutheran Church and the Church Council. He was a member of the Ralph Greer American Legion Post #49, Rock Port Volunteer Fire Department, and Rock Port Telephone Company and Midwest Data Center boards.

Besides his parents, K.J. was preceded in death by brothers, Larry Lewis and Garry “Mick” Lewis; brothers-in-law, Melvin Strough and Cecil Baker; and nieces, Jerrie (Strough) Morton and Rhonda Baker. Survivors include wife, Chris Lewis, Rock Port; children, Cory (Rae Lynne) Hill, Rock Port, Jeremy (Tiffany) Lewis, Mound City, Missouri, Marcie (Shelby) Joiner, St. Joseph, Missouri, and Jill (Ryan) Kingery, Fairfax; grandchildren, Summer Greenwalt, Isiah, Ty, Drew, and Ryan Joiner, Addison and Riley Lewis, and Trenton, Kendall, Mason, and Brenna Kingery; siblings, Joyce Strough and Shilah Baker, Fairfax, Janice McNaughton, Bois D’Arc, Missouri, and Twyilla (Terry) Gibbons, Westboro, Missouri; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held Saturday, November 28, 2020, at First Lutheran Church, Rock Port. Interment was at English Grove, Cemetery, Fairfax. Memorials may be directed to First Lutheran Church or Ralph Greer American Legion Post #49, Rock Port. Online condolences may be left at www.minterfuneralchapels.com. Services were under the direction of Minter Funeral Chapel, Rock Port.