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Serving Our Seniors is someone to call when you need help.
419-624-1856 800-564-1856
Meet Samuel Walter Lewis, 84 years old. He moved to
Sandusky, Ohio in 1950 and served in the Korean War in
1951. He served on the front line for 10 months and 17
days in the Tank Guard, 7th Division. He achieved the rank
of Staff Sergeant and was awarded two Valor Stars.
After being honorably discharged he returned to Sandusky
and worked for Waldock Packing Company for 17 years.
He was hired by New Departure in 1968.
Sam was very active in the Masonic Lodge from 1972
- 1992. He explained, “Back at that time the Masons
were segregated. I belonged to the black Masons”. As a
dedicated member he would cut the grass on the grounds
of Masons’ meeting lodge. As he was maintaining the
grounds he noticed Gloria, who lived across the street. He
knew at that moment he was in love.
He found himself going to the Masonic lodge to cut grass
every other day, just for an excuse to talk with Gloria. Sam
said, “She was interested in me, too. She would work in
her yard, just to see me mowing the lawn”. He and Gloria
started laughed as Sam told this story. Gloria didn’t deny it.
They knew each other for one month before they married.
thirty-eight years later, they remain happily married, in
love and just as committed to one another as on their
wedding day.
Sam worked as an umpire for 31 years until he retired in
2008. He started with “The Little Adam League” ages 6-8,
then 8-10, on up to the teenagers. Then he worked for the
Ohio State Athletic Association to umpire baseball and
softball and traveled around the region.
His barber calls Sam “The Miracle Man”. I call them the
“miracle couple”. Sam whipped cancer and is living with
a positive attitude despite having diabetes and going to
dialysis three days per week.
Sam is the father of eight children, whom he loves very
much; and he is the father of four adopted children with
Gloria. His four children live nearby and help in providing
for his care and emotional support.
“Our children strengthen us”, says Gloria. Dequarius Lewis
and his family moved from North Carolina to Sandusky to
share the care. Shelia Lewis-McGill travels back and forth
from Dayton to provide care and support to her parents.
Son, Roderick, who live in Georgia with his family, calls
frequently to let his parents know he loves and cares for
them; and their oldest daughter, Erichia Lewis, is currently
staying with her parents to help.
In addition to his family, Sam credits his loving friends,
Pastor Reginald Taylor, Herman Robinson, Bobby Langdon
and Darwitt Garrett for his ability to live such a high quality
of life, despite his illness. “I call them my boys”, said Sam.
“They will come to help day or night…Whatever I need!
They are there to help”.
“Jessie Robinson, Herman’s wife, calls everyone and gets
them together when there is a health crisis. Ron and Pat
Maschari have been by our side throughout this five year
journey.” said Gloria. Shirley Langdon, Bobby’s wife, and
Dejuana Langdon help by preparing lunch for Sam after
dialysis and assist as needed, while Gloria is at work.
Sam also has to loving and supportive sisters who live
nearby, Helen Robinson and Francis Johnson.
Sam and Gloria will tell you that they are so blessed to
have so many friends. So many that I cannot list everyone
due to space restrictions. “We have a Cancer family (the
staff at Firelands Regional Medical Center) a Cardiac
by Sue Daugherty
