Wesley Lewis
1929-03-09 2010-04-16
Everette Wesley Lewis, age 81, passed away early Friday morning, April 16, 2010. Known to everyone as Wes, he loved to say he was born March 9, 1929, 9:00 in the morning, weighing 9 lbs. 9 oz., in Raymondville, Texas (third mud hole on the left). He graduated high school at 16, never missing a day, then went to work in the oil fields. At 15, he met his future wife, Marilyn (Mickey) Streitz. They were together for 66 years, married for 59. When Marilyn left for college in Oregon, he followed, putting himself through college by working in the sawmill and doing maintenance for the dormitories.
Wes and his buddy, Gus, went to join the Navy but the recruiter was out to lunch. So they joined the Army instead. During the Korean War, he was sent to Fort Ord. He and Marilyn fell in love with this area and never left. Raising two daughters, they both became teachers. Wes taught at Monterey High School until Seaside High was built. He and fellow teacher and friend, John Brandlin, were hired as Seaside's first teachers. They helped choose the name "Spartans" and pick the school colors, originally white, black, and scarlet. "Uncle Wesley" was head of the math department, and, as golf coach, often had the team at his home for barbecues and horseback riding. In his 26 years at Seaside High School, Wes was absent only twice. In 1966, Wes built a home on the river in Carmel Valley. For 44 years, Wes kept the property looking like a park. He was one of the original Dons of Rancho Canada Men's Club. Wes was firm and strict but had a sense of humor that would not quit. At the time of his passing, Wes was preceded in death by two brothers and four sisters. He is survived by his loving wife, Marilyn, and their Pomeranian, Simone, of Carmel; daughters, Teri (Tony) Ramos of Vacaville and Jacque (Richard Enriquez) Lewis of Royal Oaks; grandchildren, Scott and Kayla Ramos, Alexander and Kyle (Marie) Cordone and Lane Lewis; and great-grandsons, Landon and Mateo Cordone. The family would like to thank the nurses of Community Hospital for their care and friendship through his three-year illness. Wes knew how hard their job was and always wanted to make them laugh. Many came to see him near the end; their love gave us strength. Even Simone was allowed to come and say goodbye.
Wes and his buddy, Gus, went to join the Navy but the recruiter was out to lunch. So they joined the Army instead. During the Korean War, he was sent to Fort Ord. He and Marilyn fell in love with this area and never left. Raising two daughters, they both became teachers. Wes taught at Monterey High School until Seaside High was built. He and fellow teacher and friend, John Brandlin, were hired as Seaside's first teachers. They helped choose the name "Spartans" and pick the school colors, originally white, black, and scarlet. "Uncle Wesley" was head of the math department, and, as golf coach, often had the team at his home for barbecues and horseback riding. In his 26 years at Seaside High School, Wes was absent only twice. In 1966, Wes built a home on the river in Carmel Valley. For 44 years, Wes kept the property looking like a park. He was one of the original Dons of Rancho Canada Men's Club. Wes was firm and strict but had a sense of humor that would not quit. At the time of his passing, Wes was preceded in death by two brothers and four sisters. He is survived by his loving wife, Marilyn, and their Pomeranian, Simone, of Carmel; daughters, Teri (Tony) Ramos of Vacaville and Jacque (Richard Enriquez) Lewis of Royal Oaks; grandchildren, Scott and Kayla Ramos, Alexander and Kyle (Marie) Cordone and Lane Lewis; and great-grandsons, Landon and Mateo Cordone. The family would like to thank the nurses of Community Hospital for their care and friendship through his three-year illness. Wes knew how hard their job was and always wanted to make them laugh. Many came to see him near the end; their love gave us strength. Even Simone was allowed to come and say goodbye.