Larry Edward Lewis

Larry Edward Lewis, 74, of Topeka, Kansas passed away December 6, 2017, at Midland Hospice House. Larry was born on February 5, 1943 in Topeka to Fern Spaeth and Donald Lewis. He met Linda Deskins where they later married on June 17, 1961. Together they had one daughter. He has lived in Topeka, Kansas all his life, except for 5 years when he lived in New Orleans, LA. He was primarily known for his dangerous jobs he accomplished. Larry was a self-employee High Steel Painter.  He traveled all over Untied States painting bridges, tall buildings, but mostly painted Micro-Wave towers. He helped paint Lake Pontchartrain Causeway Bridge. It is the largest bridge passing over water. The bridge is so long that for 6 of its 24 miles, you can't see land in any direction. Besides bridges he made national news for a 2000-foot tower he painted in Des Moines, Iowa. When you were on top looking down, you were looking down on clouds. Reporters came and put it on international news. They said they were doing a special on “Interesting and dangerous jobs people do."  A cousin in Topeka was surprise when she turned on her TV and saw Larry on the news that night, He once even had an accident where he electrocuted himself, and lived to tell the crazy story to his wife and family. Larry’s job has also taken him to France, Panama, and Algeria.

Larry was a very honest and hardworking outdoors man and He was very humble about his achievements. He loved to hunt, and fish. He dipped his toes into just about every hobby you could think of, even video games. He loved his family and he was always 100% real.

Larry is preceded in death by both of his parents and three brothers. Donald Lewis, Richard Lewis, and Ronnie Lewis.

He survived by his wife of 56 years, one daughter Kelly Ortiz of Topeka, one brother Gus Spaeth of Topeka; four grandchildren, Natasha Cessna, Renee Flores, Joshua Gonzales, and Emilliono "EJ" Gonzales, all of Topeka; and 9 grandchildren, Ignacio Flores, Owin Cessna, Nadia Flores, Sophia Gonzales, Isabella Gonzales, Aries Flores, Talia  Gonzales, Dante Welch, and ,Eleena Leos.

Cremation is planned but there will be a “Celebration of Life at “The Brass Rail”

401 NE Emmett, Topeka, Kansas on 18 ^th of December from 5-7.