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The Rev. Donald Earl Lewis, 80, retired, died Nov. 22, from heart failure at his home in Pearcy, Ark. He had requested that in lieu of a funeral, people share memories with a friend.

He was a front-line veteran of World War II and Korea. As a young enlisted man in World War II, he served in the Infantry?s Rainbow Division and was among the men that opened the Dachau Concentration Camp. That experience had a great impact on his life, said his daughter, Gloria Simpson.

Lewis served Pleasant Hill in Owings Mills in 1950, then became a chaplain in the U.S. Army in Korea from 1951 to 1954 and retired as a colonel. He was decorated three times for 'valor in action.' From 1954 to 1960 he served Eastport. While there, he had a book, 'Prayer Power,' published. He then went to Hamline until 1964, followed by First UMC in Hyattsville until he retired in 1970.

During his ministerial years he was chairman of the Board of Hospitals and Homes and the Board of Child Care. He also served on the boards of Maryland General Hospital in Baltimore and Sibley Hospital in Washington, D.C. Lewis was a 32nd degree Mason.

In addition to his Masters of Divinity, Lewis held postgraduate degrees from several universities.

After his retirement he began another career as Chief of Personnel Management and Evaluation for the northeastern regions of the Department of Health and Human Services, based in New York. He retired from there in 1985 and moved to a large piece of land in Arkansas, where he raised donkeys, horses, chickens, dogs and other animals.

He taught Sunday school for 20 years at Piney Grove UMC in Pearcy.

His first marriage ended in divorce.

Survivors include his wife of 34 years, Jacqueline Lewis; two daughters and a son from his first marriage, Gloria Simpson and Donna Lewis of Columbia, and Robert Lewis of New Hampshire; two stepdaughters, eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Condolences may be sent to Jacqueline Lewis, 286 Country View Trail, Pearcy AK 71964.