Richard Love Lewis

Richard Love (Dickie, Lou, Papa) Lewis of Celebration, Florida, formerly of Champions Gate, Florida, passed away Monday, October 23, 2023, while in the care of hospice. Richard was born September 23, 1933, in Sarasota, Florida to William and Daisy (Love) Lewis. Daisy later divorced William and married John Sanders. Richard lived in the area until he graduated from Sarasota High School at the age of 17. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the US Marine Corps, serving for 10 years. He graduated from NCO Leadership School. During his enlistment, he learned computer coding and programming. He proudly served at various bases but mostly talked about his time in Hawaii and Cherry Point, NC. Richard met the love of his life, Kay Jorgensen, through mutual friends while stationed at Cherry Point in 1958. In August of that same year, Kay and Richard were married and ultimately celebrated 65 years together.

After an honorable discharge, he began a long career in computer programming. He worked many years for IBM, which, many employees joked, stands for I’ve Been Moved! Never settling for long in any one place, the family lived in North Carolina, Minnesota, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, and Ohio and drifted back to Florida in between the job changes. Richard was a true Floridian, even after visiting Hawaii, deemed the beaches in Florida were the prettiest, so why go anywhere else. He loved playing golf and fishing, especially around the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, south of Tampa. In his later years, when no longer traveling, a picture of his beloved bridge hung in his bedroom. Additionally, he was very fond of the Boston Red Sox. He repeatedly told tales of watching winter ball in Sarasota, meeting Ted Williams, and seeing a game or two at Boston’s home park while picking tobacco up north.

He was a kind and quiet person who loved his family dearly. He is survived by his wife Kay Lewis of Champions Gate, Florida, his brother Ben (Nancy) Sanders of Sarasota, Florida, sisters Barb Marvin and Sandy Morgan of Englewood, Florida, and Joyce Burroughs of Tallahassee, Florida. His son Rick (Lynne) Jorgensen of Tarpon Springs, Florida, son Orvie Lewis of Benson, Minnesota, daughter Pattie (Dave) Jagusch of Red Wing, Minnesota, and daughter April (Robb) Bedwell of St. Cloud, Florida. He is also survived by seven grandchildren Matthew (Morgan) Jagusch of Rochester, Minnesota, Tara Polley of Tarpon Springs, Florida, Michael (Syera) Jagusch of Red Wing, Minnesota, Caley (Tommy) Longendyke of White Bear Lake, Minnesota, Britnie (Bill) Lia of Clermont Florida, Frank (Molly) Cruz of Minneapolis Minnesota and Ashley Weiner of Minneapolis Minnesota. In addition, he is survived by eight great-grandchildren, Samantha, Charlie, Savannah, Rebecca, and Tanner Jagusch, all of Minnesota. Skylar and Summer Polley, and Brienne Lia, all of Florida, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents, William Lewis, John Sanders, and Daisy Sanders, and brothers Gene Lewis and Bobbie Sanders.

Rest in peace, Lou Lou, you will be missed.

An Inurnment with Military Honors will be held at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, Florida, on Thursday, December 7, 2023, at 11:30 AM.