Ward Alan Lewis

Ward Alan Lewis, age 92, of Traverse City, passed away on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025. Born on Sept. 23, 1932, at Hollywood Hospital in Los Angeles, California, he was the son of Charles Kenneth Shaw and Ethel Ilene Shaw (Hemphill). Ward attended St. Mary’s High School in Phoenix, Arizona. As a 17-year-old, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1950 and trained as an underwater demolition specialist. He attended Air Crew School in Japan and became a radar operator, flying in the rear seat of a single-engine bomber called the Skyraider. During the Korean War, he flew approximately 40 missions from the deck of the aircraft carriers Princeton and Oriskany. Shot down in combat, he had to crawl away from the wreckage under enemy fire. He earned three Purple Hearts. He came home after the war and attended the Naval Academy in Annapolis. He met Christina, who would soon become his wife, when they lived at the same boarding house while he was taking graduate courses at Arizona State University. They married in 1957. He soon earned his aviator’s wings. At first, he was a blimp pilot, serving mostly in coastal defense. Later, as a fixed wing pilot, he flew reconnaissance missions during the October 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis to verify that the Soviets had indeed removed their nuclear missiles from the island. Ward transferred to the Coast Guard in 1963. It was the Coast Guard that brought the family to Traverse City. Ward and Christina fell in love with the area and decided to eventually retire here. After retiring from the Coast Guard, Ward worked for the Traverse Bay Intermediate School District as Program Director for the Public Services Career program. Ward concluded his career at the Traverse City Post Office. A loving and kind individual, Ward cherished family time. He enjoyed his private farm life, playing as much golf as possible, and petting and feeding his wire-haired dachshunds. Ward is survived by his beloved wife of 67 years, Christina; daughters Suzanne Verhulst (Jim), Karen Lundmark (Mark); grandchildren Ben Verhulst, Emily Kolassa (Noah), Christian Verhulst (Ava) and Maxwell Lundmark. He also leaves behind two great grandchildren, Leo and Hank Kolassa. A private celebration of life will be held this summer.

Ward Alan Lewis

September 23, 1932 - January 31, 2025