Edward James Lewis
Edward James Lewis, of Beaverton, Oregon, passed away peacefully on January 13th, 2023, in Portland, Oregon, surrounded by his children. Edward was born in San Rafael, California to Edith and Edward Lewis on April 29th, 1939. The family eventually made its way to Salem where he graduated from South Salem High school in 1957.
Edward attended Oregon State University, joined the Beta Theta Pi fraternity, where he held the office of Vice President his Junior year and was a member of the Student Senate while also being a distinguished Military Graduate in Army ROTC. He met and married Joan Osko while at OSU in 1960 and their three children were born during their marriage which later ended in divorce. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a minor in Forestry in 1961.
Edward went on to attend Willamette University College of Law where he graduated first rank in his class of 48 with a J.D. degree and Summa Cu Laude in 1964. He was a member and Exchequer of Phi Delta Phi International Legal Fraternity. After Law school, he had his military obligation to fulfill and was assigned to Fort Riley and within 3 months was transferred to Vietnam where he served for 11 months as Capt. JAGC USAR.
As a member of the Oregon State Bar he co-authored the article “Mortgage Foreclosure in 1971” and was Chairman of the Corporate Counsel Section of Business Law of the Oregon State Bar for two years.
After starting his legal career in Fort Ord, CA as Assistant Staff Judge Advocate, the family briefly moved to Eugene, OR where Edward was an Associate at the Law Firm of Riddlesbarger, Pederson, Brownhill and Young. The family then moved to Beaverton Oregon where he was employed as a Corporate Attorney for NW Acceptance Co. in 1971 and then finished his legal career at Tektronix Inc after working there for over 28 years. His roles included Assistant Secretary and Legal Counsel working in the areas of Securities Compliance, providing all legal support for the companies Instruments Business, the company’s core and largest business. As Senior Council he managed litigation for the company and was responsible for the company’s real estate and environmental matters. He was respected for his fairness and integrity
One of Edwards’s biggest joys was his grandchildren. He would attend every sporting event, performing arts and school activity they were involved in. He would gladly help out if they needed any rides to practice or games, and then be in the crowd cheering them on. He passed on his great love of the OSU Beaver’s to his family. He was a long-time season ticket holder to the Football and Basketball games. Attending these games was a highlight for him all the way up to his passing. He was a lifelong Beta Theta Pi member and enjoyed the annual gatherings at Black Butte Ranch. Edward also found the love of bicycling which took him all around the world on many bike tours. He participated in several Cycle Oregon rides and was a member of a local bike group. He loved the outdoors!
He was a dedicated volunteer reader for the SMART reading program at a local neighborhood school as well as a Volunteer for Hands on Portland and donated frequently to the Oregon Food Bank. He also was passionate about and volunteered for the Friends of the Historic Columbia River Hwy.
Edward is survived by his son Scott; twin daughters Molly and Kelly; grandchildren Collin, Cy, Harrison and Carsyn. He was preceded in death by his parents Edith & Edward and sister Susan.
Per his request, there will be no public memorial yet his family will have a private celebration of his life this summer at the Metolius River in Oregon with extended family. This is special place he and the family hold dear to their heart.