Ken Richard Lewis

Kenneth “Ken” Richard Lewis passed away Friday, January 1, 2021, in Rogue River, Oregon at his home.

Ken was born August 8, 1949 in Sandpoint, Idaho, to Richard and Marie Lewis and grew up in Kennewick, Washington. He married his first wife, Lillian Bereskin, in July of 1977 and had five sons Shane, Matt, Dillon, Sam, and Jon. He married his current wife, JaNell Lindauer, on September 17, 2000.

Ken graduated in 1974 from Eastern Washington University. He started with the Spokane Police Department in 1975, also worked in Unalaska, Alaska, Wrangell, Alaska, Naknek, Alaska, and LaPush, Washington, where he was Chief of Police from 1986 to 1999. Then, he moved to Brookings, Oregon where he was Police Chief until 2001. Then, he and JaNell moved to Rogue River, Oregon where he was Chief of Police from 2001 to 2015 until retired. In total he worked 35 years in law enforcement, and 25 of those years he served as Police Chief.

Ken was an avid outdoorsman. He loved hunting, fishing, and anything to do with the outdoors. For the last seven years, every October he spent a month in Atlanta, Idaho hunting with his best friend Roger Hobbs. Given his love for anything to do with firearms, he started a Dura Coat Firearm business. Additionally, Ken loved writing and he published three novels, as well as started and owned his own publishing business. He also loved to just stay at home, hanging out with his wife and dogs.

A special thank you to Providence Hospice and mostly his hospice nurse Tirah, (who said he was her most difficult patient). A special thank you to Taira Warren, FNP for her relentless effort to help comfort Ken and to also be by JaNell’s side throughout this entire process. Also, Mark Reagles and the City of Rogue River.

Ken is survived by his wife, JaNell Lewis of Rogue River, Oregon, his five sons; Shane Lewis of Forks, Washington, Matt Lewis of Bozeman, Montana, Dillon (Heather) Lewis of Maple Valley, Washington, Sam Lewis of Port Angeles, Washington, and Jon Lewis of Cramerton, North Carolina, his brother, Tom Lewis of Long Beach, Washington, five grandchildren, and his dogs Lindie and Chewie who never left his side throughout Ken's final days.

He is preceded in death by his mother and father, Richard and Marie Lewis, his brother, Randy Lewis, and his sister, Tammy Lewis.

A service is being held in his honor at Stephens Family Chapel Friday, January 15th, at 2:00pm. This service can be viewed via live stream from the Stephens Family Chapel, LLC Facebook page.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to The American Cancer Society or the Josephine and Jackson County Humane Society.