The Honorable Garry Dennis Lewis, 74, of Edina , Missouri , passed away Wednesday, November 25, 2015, at his home in Edina , Missouri .

Judge Lewis was born on August 1, 1941 in Reynolds County , Missouri , near the boot heel, the son of Oliver and Dolly Barnes Lewis.

The Lewis family moved to Jennings , Missouri , where Garry started working at 12 years old, and graduated high school. Garry graduated from the University of Missouri with a degree in Agriculture then worked for several years for Wilson Meat Packing and ARINC Communications in Cedar Rapids , Iowa , where he met Connie Chaffin.

Garry and Connie were married in Cedar Rapids , Iowa , on December 24, 1969 , and moved to Columbia where Garry worked his way through law school, graduating in 1971. Garry’s first job as an attorney was with Buzz Adams in Kirksville . Garry later opened a solo practice, sharing space in the Grimm Building in Kirksville with attorney Michael Mulford, who remains a close family friend.

Garry became “The Judge” in 1978 when he was appointed to the position of Associate Circuit Judge in Edina , Missouri by Governor Joseph Teasdale, and the Lewis family made Edina their home.

Judge Lewis remained in that position until his retirement in 2006, serving Adair, Knox, and Lewis Counties , and dispensed his brand of rural justice when he served temporary assignments in St. Louis County .

In his retirement, Judge Lewis served as a Senior Judge, enjoyed watching football and basketball, and often traveled to Georgia to visit his son, Brian, daughter-in-law Kay, and grandson Sam.

Judge Lewis was active in local organizations, previously serving on the board for the Knox County Nutrition Site in Edina , and at the time of his passing was a member of the Knox County Nursing Home Board.

Judge Lewis was also an avid horseman, raising and training American Quarter Horses over three decades; many of his horses went on to long careers as rodeo and police horses, though a few made early trips to the glue factory, proving that even the Judge could not cause some horses to drink.

Judge Lewis is survived by his son Brian, daughter-in-law Kay, and grandson Sam Lewis of Newnan , Georgia ; brother, Larry (Carole) Lewis of Warrenton, Missouri ; two sisters, Wilma ( Bryan ) Epley of Alaska, and Karen (Terry) Wallace of North Dakota; and extended family, including nieces and nephews from Alaska to Miami , Florida .

Judge Lewis was preceded in death by his parents, Dolly and Oliver Lewis; his nephew, Gary Lewis, and his wife, Connie Lewis, beloved educator in Knox County and Brashear schools.

Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 2, 2015 , at the Doss Funeral Home in Edina , Missouri .

Visitation will be after 12:00 noon on Wednesday, December 2, 2015 , with the family receiving friends up to service time.

Private family graveside services will be held at the Park View Memorial Gardens in Kirksville , Missouri .

An expression of sympathy in memory of Judge Garry Lewis may be left to the Knox County Nutrition Site or the Knox County Nursing Home. A memorial may be left at or mailed to the Doss Funeral Home 208 N. 4 ^th Street , Edina , Missouri 63537 .