Franklin Lee Lewis

Franklin Lee Lewis was born near Sulphur, Oklahoma, January 18,1939 to Florene (Beaver) Lewis and Jesse Lewis. He died August 9, 2026, in McPherson, Kansas, aged 87. Frank graduated from East Central State University in Ada, Oklahoma, where he met and married Linda (Battles) Lewis. To this union were born two daughters: Trudy Lewis and Terry (Lewis) Hall.

Frank taught high school debate and government in Stratford, Oklahoma; North Platte, Nebraska; and Bellevue, Nebraska. While teaching in Bellevue, he served on the city planning commission and as president of the local teachers’ union. He ran successfully for the Nebraska Unicameral and represented District 45 of Sarpy County 1972-80.

While serving the state of Nebraska, Senator Lewis was also a representative to the Education Commission of the States and was appointed by President Jimmy Carter to a committee charged with studying the role of the federal government in funding school districts with an insufficient local tax base (i.e., schools serving Native reservations and military bases).

After 1980, Frank’s work included education, consulting, and business. In 1987, the Lewises relocated to Lindsborg, Kansas, and Frank ultimately retired from a position with the Lindsborg Golf Club.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother William “Rudy” Lewis, sister Patricia Smith, sister-in-law Retha Lewis, and brother-in-law Sam Smith.

He is survived by his wife and daughters, as well as sister Loretta Slagle, brothers-in-laws Mike Slagle and Orblea Sing, and sisters-in-law, Norma Sing and Suzanne Lewis. Also surviving are two sons-in-law, Mike Barrett and Tom Hall; seven grandchildren, Sylvia Hall, Cliff Hall, Lauren (Hall) Harrison, Madeline Hall, Nick Hall, Eddie Barrett, and Jude Barrett; grandchildren-in-law, James Dunn, Rachel Nielsen, and James Harrison; and great-grandchildren Miles Harrison and Sunny Dunn.

Memorial gifts may be directed to the Dala Food Pantry, Messiah Lutheran Church, Lindsborg, Kansas.