Donald "Joe" Lewis

Anyone who knew Joe knew that he was an early morning kind of guy. Dad woke up before the sparrows, before the sun and maybe even before God. His many years of morning radio meant he had to rise very early, get to the station, warm up the equipment, rip the news off the wire and be ready to ‘sign-on’ to wake the good folks of Pike County. It’s a habit he could never shake. So, on March 3, in traditional Joe style, he arose one last time for his biggest sign-on yet…to wake his personal Lord and Savior! Good morning, Pearly Gates! Joe made his first sign-on Feb. 9, 1939, to Clarence “Gabe” and Beatrice McCann Lewis. His humble beginnings came at the end of the Great Depression, when most had few possessions, land or money. But what the Lewises did have was…You thought I was going to say Love, didn’t you? Nope! What the Lewises did have was children! Joe was the youngest of 10! Being the youngest, smallest, slowest meant he had to fight for every scrap of attention he could. That’s when he realized that humor would be his superpower. School was his first stage. In preparation for Dad’s funeral, we ran across old grade cards, and it seems he chose to trade good grades for belly laughs. Although well liked, class clowns don’t usually grow into valedictorians. So, he set his sights on employment where he could use his hands and cunning, leading him to a multitude of jobs like gas station attendant, Pepsi and phone repairman, until he heard of a man hiring for a radio station. Paul Salois recognized his bull...talent and hired him right away. KPCR was born. Somewhere between laughs, Joe caught the eye of a lovely girl from St. Clement. Funnily enough, she didn’t think he was funny at all. It took a lot of convincing, like a year or two, but she finally saw he wasn’t so bad and eventually succumbed to his charms. In 1961, Rosemary Deters became Rosemary Lewis. Before they settled in their cozy house in the country, he served his country in the army and 8 years of reserves. Soon they welcomed the first of their brood, little Joe, followed by their favorite, Lori and lastly, Christine. (Christine and Joe forced me to add this disclaimer: The author has been found to embellish the truth from time to time and takes after her father!) With family and career underway Joe began to reflect inward to see what could be missing in his life. What was that emptiness inside? He knew exactly what would fill that hole! A fishing boat!! With rod, reel and stinky Bowker’s catfish bait, he set out for the river! And what does every fisherman need? Fishing buddies! And there they were, in the johnboat, on the pontoon, or casting from shore. He and his pals were always ready for a good time and that meant mischief. I would tell you about all the mischief, but the best stories always involved Joe Long, Jack Haley, Arch Jennings, and Sonny Wright and many others who have asked to remain nameless. Somewhere along the way Joe noticed another longing inside. This was familiar. It felt like when he was a very young lad and answered a call that led him to walk the seven miles to St. Clement to start going to church. The mass and Jesus called to him, so he continued to take that long walk every Sunday. And although Joe still attended church regularly he wanted more. That’s when he heard about Cursillo and TEC (Teens Encounter Christ), retreat weekends sponsored by the Catholic Church. Joe and Rosie attended one, then another and before you know it, they were leading the events. Their family of friends grew by leaps and bounds and helped Dad forge an even stronger relationship with Jesus. With Cursillo came Don and Jane Powell and Ansel Niemeyer. They did everything together but mostly laughed until their sides hurt. Dad loved his kids and was proud of all their accomplishments, but he really loved the babies! He played with any baby he saw in public and always tried to make them laugh, but when he finally got his own grandkids, he turned on the fun! Olivia, Emily and Cassidi, (a special granddaughter by choice) loved their Papa Joe! When they were still small, they especially loved jumping on his belly like a trampoline, and he let them, for a while. And then came the great-grandkids Luella and Thea who he loved just as much, although he didn’t let them jump on his belly. He was always surrounded by his numerous nieces and nephews, too. KPCR was a big part of this life, and the Bowling Green community and its people meant the world to him. He enjoyed announcing tractor pulls, emceed many functions and entertained anyone who would listen. He started the Cowpasture Concerts that brought people by the thousands, was instrumental in fundraisers like “Goat Days” and lots of hair-brained schemes as Mom would say. Joe was impatiently awaiting to be reunited in heaven with those who preceded in death, his parents, all his brothers and sisters, and numerous family and friends. We know there was a real barnburner of a reunion in heaven on Tuesday! Please help us celebrate his life by joining us for visitation at Bibb-Veach Funeral Home, Bowling Green, Missouri on Monday, March 9 from 3-7:00 pm and a funeral Mass at St. Clement Catholic Church on Tuesday, March 10 at 10:30 am. A luncheon will follow at the Knights of Columbus Hall following graveside services. Memorials may be made to Baptist Homes Tri-County in Vandalia, Missouri, or St. Clement School in Bowling Green, Missouri.

Donald "Joe" Lewis

February 9, 1939 - March 3, 2026