Alan Lewis

All who knew Alan Big Al Lewis would agree that he was larger than life. He lived life out loud, on his own terms, and with no fear about what others thought. Al was highly intelligent with a great sense of humor, and his stories were truly unmatched. He worked hard, but building wealth was never his focus as it was the relationships he shared with his family and friends that were always first and foremost in Big Als life. It was no secret that he loved a good party and that music was the pathway to his soul. A devoted father, loving brother, and loyal friend, he will be dearly missed while his memory is forever cherished. The 1950s were a pivotal time in American history. Civil rights gained momentum when Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on an Alabama bus while the United States and the Soviet Union were locked in a huge battle so see who would dominate the world of space exploration. It was just as this exciting decade dawned that a young couple from Muskegon, Michigan, was thrilled to welcome a healthy baby boy into their hearts and home on November 3, 1950. Alan was the oldest of three children born to his parents, Edward and Marilyn Lewis, and was joined in his family by his younger siblings, Steve and Jane. His parents later divorced, but his mother remarried a man named Harvey Ross. Their marriage provided Al with three additional siblings, Jeff, Mary, and Diane. Even at a young age, Al, or Big Al as he was often known, had the world by its tail. He traveled quite a bit during his younger years, and when he was 15 years old Al tried to run away with the carnival. He was a student at local schools and established lifelong friendships with many people. Big Al loved his motorcycle and his van that was painted to look like the American flag. He shared a bedroom with his brother, Steve, who was close to his age. Al was a Rolling Stones fan while Steve was a Beatles fan, which paved the way for a battle of the bands between their two favorites. It was not uncommon for the brothers to draw mustaches on the opposing band posters or to shred pictures of the band either. Despite their differences, Al and Steve were close, and they remained that way throughout Als entire life. Big Al graduated from Oakridge High School and was a member of a band called Dead Body in his late teens. New and exciting days were in store for Big Al when he met the young woman who would change the course of his life forever. Her name was Diane, and they were married on a mountain top along the Blue Ridge Parkway in Asheville, North Carolina, on January 7, 1979. Just one year later, Al and Diane moved to Florida where Al remained for the rest of his life. He loved the country setting that surrounded his home in Largo, and he always had pets including a pot belly pig and cats. Big Al also raised Dobermans for a time. Together Al and Diane were blessed with the birth of their son, Symon, or Sy, on January 17, 1985. Although their marriage ended in divorce in 1986, Al and Diane were very special friends who remained close. People were always first and foremost in Big Als life. He and Sy loved going to the movies together. Al was very close to his Aunt Mille, his mothers sister, who also lived in Florida. Through the years the pair spent countless hours together. As someone who made friends wherever he went, it comes as no surprise that on one occasion when he and Diane were in Key West Al became friends with a shrimp boat owner. He and his wife then spent the next week aboard his boat, partying and shrimping. Throughout his life Big Al was always exceptionally kind and protective of his mother. Al made a career as a welder, earning his certification at Buncombe Technical Community College in Asheville, North Carolina, in 1980. As someone who was plagued with ongoing health issues for the past 12 years as he had a heart attack, a stroke, and lung cancer, Big Al retired 10 years ago. It goes without saying that Al was truly one of a kind. He was a hippie type who protested for the legalization of marijuana during this movement in the seventies. Al was a movie lover and a computer guy who was always playing around in front of the screen. He was also into music and loved reading Rolling Stone. Al had the best sense of humor, and he loved sharing his infectious laughter with others. He deeply loved his son, his family, and his friends, and his pets were very important to him as well. During his sunset years Big Als health continued to decline. When he was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer, he returned to Michigan this past June in order to be with his mother and to reconnect with old friends. Als mother cared for him as long as she was able. He spent that last few days of his life at the Poppen House, his sister, Diane holding his hand throughout the last two nights of his life. A man who loved to laugh, loved people, and loved life, Alan Lewis was a blessing in the lives of those around him. He was vibrant, free-spirited, and intelligent with just the right amount of rebel mixed in. Als memory was amazing, and his stories were the best. Life will never be the same for his family and friends without him here, but his memory will remain forever near and dear to the hearts and lives of all who were within his reach.