Dewey Adolph Lewis

Lewis, Dewey Adolph Jr.

Ocala, Florida

Dewey Adolph Lewis Jr, 89, passed away on May 21, 2025. He fought his death hard until the end, just like he lived his life. He was born May 1, 1936, in the then-town of Montague, which is today the corner of Southeast Maricamp Road and Southeast 36th Avenue, Ocala, Florida. His birthplace was a rented one-room sharecropper house that is now long gone. He was born into a small farm family, lived and prospered all his life in Marion County, and died as a small farmer.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Dewey Adolph Sr and Ethel “Nanny” Lewis. He was married to Sybil Kay Lewis for 57 years, who passed away on January 29, 2019. D A or Bubby, as he was known to his closest friends, was survived by his two children, John Warren Lewis and Sally Marie Lewis, sister Joy Row, grandchildren: Makayla Elaine Lewis, and John William Lewis, as well as, his companion Shirley Rollins.

DA attended Reddick High School and then went to the University of Florida, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Agronomy. He was a proud member of the Sigma Chi fraternity, where he met and kept up with too many friends to remember. It was there he met his lifelong friend and business partner, Joseph Chapman. He loved watching the Florida Gators compete in any sport. After college, he spent two years on active duty in the United States Army Reserves. Then, he transferred to the Florida National Guard, where he rose to captain and company commander.

DA was a lifelong advocate of agriculture and a member of the Marion County Farm Bureau executive committee for over 40 years. He was a board member and vice president of the Florida Peanut Producers Association and a board member of the National Peanut Council. He belonged to the Marion County Cattlemen’s Association, a devoted member and deacon of the First Baptist Church of Ocala. He was a lifelong supporter of the Southeastern Youth Fair and many other ag-related organizations.

DA loved visiting with kids, adults, and anyone who would listen about Agriculture or the history of Marion County. He mentored many young farmers and ranchers, supported numerous exhibitors at the Southeastern Youth Fair, and supported their projects financially. One of his favorite projects was reading to kids every year for the Florida Ag in the Classroom program, and he spent countless hours teaching young kids how peanuts grow and their nutritional value.

DA will rest in the Millwood Cemetery in Reddick, Florida. There will be a celebration of life at noon on May 28, 2025, at the fellowship hall of the First Baptist Church of Ocala. Arrangements are under the care of Countryside Funeral Home, Anthony, FL.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Marion County 4-H Foundation, 2232 NE Jacksonville Road, Ocala, FL. 34470, or to Reddick High School Reunion DA Lewis Scholarship Fund. Make checks to Janice Ray or Altha Wimberly and send them to RHS Reunion, P.O. Box 413, Reddick, FL 32686.