Thomas "Tom" Jackson Lewis

Thomas Jackson “Tom” Lewis, born June 6th 1946 and passed from this earthly world on Tuesday, September 17, 2024 at his home surrounded by family, friends, and church members after a prolonged period of sickness. Tom was born to Gomer and Tennessee Florence Lewis in Chattanooga, Tennessee and proudly grew up in Soddy Daisy, Tennessee. Tom graduated from Soddy Daisy high school in 1964 as the salutatorian, the University of Tennessee in 1968 after earning his bachelors degree Summa Cum Laude, and after a stint in the United States Air Force Tom returned to the University of Tennessee where he earned his Masters of Business Administration in 1976. Tom joined the United States Air Force in 1968 after graduating from the University of Tennessee, Tom served his country for six years, including a tour at Clark Air Force base in the Philippines. Tom finished his time with the USAF as a Captain. Upon returning from the Philipines Tom married the love of his life, his wife of 52 years, Judy. Tom then began his life in the civilian world at the University of Tennessee as a Teaching Assistant in the College of Accounting, while simultaneously earning his MBA. Tom went on to further serve his country in the service of the Federal Government working as a benefits accountant for numerous Federal and then private institutions in Oak Ridge. Tom would tell you that one of, if not his finest achievements in life was raising his twin daughters Kathy and Sara. Tom loved attending all of his girls activities from show choir to madrigals performances to being the official scorer for the Halls High School Softball team during Sara’s time in high school. Tom also loved his church and church family. Tom and Judy have been faithful members of Sharon Baptist Church since 1982. Tom served as the church treasurer for 40 years, was ordained as a Deacon in 1985, and up until 3 weeks prior to his death, Tom served as the teacher for adult 6 men's Sunday school class. Tom served as a teacher for multiple Sunday school classes in his 40 plus years at Sharon Baptist church including a period teaching his own daughters and son-in-law in the adult 2 college and co-ed class. Tom was also very proud of his two grandchildren Ty and Jaxon. Ty and Tom enjoyed multiple adventures together from going to the dump with their customary trip to Weigel’s afterward and multiple trips to see movies at Halls Cinema 7, and Tom attended many of Jaxon’s baseball games, and he relished their shared love of the game of baseball. Tom was an avid fan of all things University of Tennessee, the New York Yankees, and lover of The Beatles, Simon and Garfunkel, and the Rolling Stones among other favorite musicians and genres of music. 

Tom is preceded in death by his father, Gomer Thomas Lewis and mother Tennessee Florence (Davidson) Lewis. Tom is survived by his wife of 52 years Judy Ann (Branson) Lewis; daughter Katherine “Kathy” (Lewis) Matherly, Sara Elizabeth (Lewis) Rolen; son-in-laws Daniel R. Matherly and Rusty Rolen; grandchildren Ty Grace Matherly and Charles Jaxon “Jaxon” Rolen; sister and brother in law Vickie and Dennis Websterp; nephew Jason Webster; and nieces Sandy “The Jewel of Jellico” Webster and Jennifer Webster, as well as great nieces and nephew, Alison “Ali” Webster, Bella Webster, and Luke Webster, and many cousins. Pallbearers will be Daniel Matherly, Rusty Rolen, Dennis Webster, Jason Webster, Luke Webster, and Nick Powell. Special Pallbearer Jaxon Rolen. Honorary Pallbearers Adult 6 Men’s Sunday School Class, Active and Inactive Deacons of Sharon Baptist Church and Special Friends James Dendrinos and Jim Jentry. Donations can be made in Tom’s memory to the 2024 Sharon Baptist Church Christmas Basket fund or The University of Tennessee, History Enrichment Fund, 916 Volunteer Boulevard, Sixth Floor Stockley Management Center, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996. The family will receive friends on Saturday, September 21, 2024 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Sharon Baptist Church followed by a  2:00 PM funeral service, Dr. James Robertson and Rev. Mark McCoig officiating. Burial to follow at Sharon Baptist Church Cemetery with full military honors provided by the Tri County Veterans Honor Guard.  Online condolences may be expressed at  www.mynattfh.com.