Lewis was born January 20, 1908 in Jefferson, Georgia to Addie Boggs and John Richard Duke. He graduated from the Martin Institute in Jefferson in 1925 and soon began his long career with Carolina Power and Light (now Progress Energy). He retired in 1973 as the chief dispatcher for the western division. He married Maxine Elizabeth Holtzclaw on March 8, 1933 in Canton, North Carolina. Although they spent most of their marriage and raised their family in Canton, Lewis and Maxine also lived in Raleigh and Roxboro, North Carolina. Maxine died April 4, 1990. Lewis moved to Grinnell in 2000 to be near family members. Formally recognized for 75 years of Masonic service in 2006, Lewis was a life member of the Pidgeon River Masonic Lodge. He took particular pride in his family, his job and his very productive vegetable gardens. All of his friends and family knew that Lewis could 'fix anything.' Surviving family members who treasure their memories of Lewis are: two sons, Charlie (Mari) Duke of Grinnell and Tony (Jo) Duke of Ankeny, Iowa; four grandchildren, Jeremy Duke of Columbia, Missouri, Abbey Duke of Burlington, Vermont, Jason Duke of Ankeny, and Travis Duke of Ankeny; five great grandchildren; and a nephew, Richard Duke of Louisville, Kentucky. He was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years; his brother Bill; and his sisters, Leota and Macey.