Albert Lester Lewis

Albert Lester “Les” Lewis

January 31, 1940 - December 3, 2025

Albert Lester “Les” Lewis, age 85, of Sparta, NC, and formerly of Newark, DE, passed away on Wednesday, December 3, 2025.

Born in Newark, DE on January 31, 1940, he was a son of the late Conrad King Dolby and Arzie Wheatley (Phillips) Lewis. Les spent the majority of his career working for W.L. Gore & Associates, retiring in 2010 after 32 years.

Les served his country in the Army as a SP5, Electrical Instrument Repairman completing a tour of duty in France from 1960-1963. It was during this tour that he fell in love with the Austin Healey, including having the opportunity to race them.

A lifelong enthusiast of classic automobiles, he was a proud member of the Austin Healey Club of America and the Austin Healey Sports and Touring Club Brandywine Region.  He owned several Austin Healeys and with his wife Shawn took home numerous awards at the many car shows they attended over the years. He and his wife often enjoyed days exploring the Blue Ridge Parkway in their classic cars. Everyone who visited them was offered a ride in a Healey.

His hobbies also included woodworking, and he had an extensive woodworking shop which he would make items for both family and friends. He also enjoyed trains in both prototype and model form, including having a large G scale outdoor garden railroad at one time.

In addition to his hobbies, Les was at home at the grill, cooking everything from juicy steaks to burgers and dogs, to BBQ brisket, pork, and even smoking whole hogs.  He and his wife also enjoyed their many standard poodles over the years. Les also enjoyed traveling with his wife Shawn, along with other family and friends, hiking, snow skiing, white water rafting/tubing/canoeing, and snowmobiling.  He especially enjoyed watching the birds, deer, and other wildlife at his home in Sparta, NC, and just spending time with both family and friends.

Committed to his fraternal community, Les was the last remaining charter member of Solomon Lodge No.36 A.F. & A.M.

In addition to his parents, Les was preceded in death by his siblings, Miriam L. Ayars, Conrad K. D. Lewis, John E. Lewis, and James P. Lewis. He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Shawn Lee (Benton) Lewis; children, Ian Clarke Lewis (Melissa), and Eric MacCionnaith Lewis (Margaret Alexander); sister, Nancy Buckingham (Lewis); and grandchildren, Sage, Claus, and Cali.

A memorial service to honor the life of Les will be held at 12:00 pm Friday, January 9th, 2025 at First Baptist Church of Sparta with Reverend Matt Harris officiating.  A meal will follow the service and the family will receive friends during that time in the fellowship hall of the church. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Les’ memory to Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10306; St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105; or to the USO, United Service Organizations, P.O. Box 96860, Washington, DC 20077-7677.

Thomas Family Funeral Service is honored to be serving the Lewis family.  If you wish, online tributes may be extended to the family at www.thomasfamilyfs.com.

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