Mr. Paul James “Jimmy” Lewis, 65, of Temperanceville, passed away Aug. 17, 2022, at TidalHealth in Salisbury, Md., surrounded by his loved ones.
Jimmy was born Aug. 22, 1956, at Northampton-Accomack Memorial Hospital in Nassawadox, a son to the late Gordon and Jacqueline (Hickman) Lewis.
To know Jimmy was definitely to love him. Quick with wit and humor and if he loved you then you were certainly a target to get picked on but also doted on. He touched everyone he met whether with a quick joke, a smile, a simple hello, or with his opinion, which you got whether you wanted it or not. One thing is for sure, you always knew where you stood with Jimmy.
He was an honorary member and Saltwater Cowboy with the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company, where he was known to everyone as “Cousin Jim.” One of his favorite things to do was to hang out at Happy Harry’s with the Taylor Street Gang during Pony Penning Week. There you could find him either cooking up a feast or kicked back delighting everyone with some tall tale. “Cousin Jim” helped lead the ponies through the streets of Chincoteague Island on Pony Swim Day, where he waved and yelled to the crowd lining the streets who in turn embraced his enthusiasm for the event that he loved so much. “Cousin Jim” was a fierce supporter of the fire company, the ponies, law enforcement, and his family, whether you were blood related or not.
Jimmy is survived by his angel and love of his life, Faith Ann (Birch) Lewis, of Temperanceville, to whom he was married to for 40 years; his son, John Lewis, and his wife, Susie, and their daughter, Hailey Elizabeth, also known as Pop-Pop’s Little Angel or Peanut, all of Temperanceville; his mother-in-law, Faye J. Birch, of Temperanceville; and several nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his two brothers, Gordon and Kenny Lewis.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, Aug. 27, 2022, at 2 p.m., at the Chincoteague Vol. Fire Company Banquet Hall, with the Rev. Maury Enright and Billy Joe Tarr officiating.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company, P.O. BOX 691, Chincoteague Island, VA 23336.
Arrangements were made by Salyer Funeral Home on Chincoteague Island.
