Lifelong Kings Ferry resident Raymond "Earl" Lewis died on Monday, August 17, 2020, at 6:44 pm at UF Health North Hospital.

Earl was born in the family farmhouse in Kings Ferry, Florida on January 26, 1942 to Mildred Crawford and Benjamin C. Lewis. One of three boys, his mother nicknamed him "Farmer". And except for a period of time away at the University of Florida as a declared Chemistry major, he really never left the farm.

Earl graduated as the valedictorian of his class at Hilliard High School in 1960. In his working life, he started in banking in downtown Jacksonville and launched into many successful years in business from there. He spent most years as the owner of pulp wooding outfit R.E. Lewis Timber. In times when the timber industry was down, he drove a truck, worked as a welder, got on at a local mill or did whatever was necessary until he could get back to his love of working in the woods amongst the pine trees.

Later, he took a great interest in real estate, keeping his broker's license active throughout many years. He really enjoyed that industry and acquired many properties, but his heart and soul remained on that same farmland where he was born. No longer planting crops as he once did very actively, he managed the family land as a tree farm and tended devotedly to his cows.

Over the years, Earl was very involved at his local Ephesus Baptist Church. Being a man of many talents, he intermittently helped out with music by singing in or leading the choir. Earl also played the piano. He loved the old gospels of his Baptist faith.

Earl lived in houses that he built himself, owned rental properties that he mostly repaired himself, and did much of his own work on his vehicles and equipment. He was a rare person who could really do just about anything. At 78, he was still incredibly active.

Earl knew no strangers. He enjoyed his life filled with days of going to town in Hilliard to hang out with buddies or take care of business, and then getting back to the farm to meet up with neighbors, stop by to visit family and feed his cows.

Earl is preceded in death by his parents, as well as his brother Benjamin "Bigon" Lewis and his grandson, Casey Earl Lewis. He is survived by brother Jack (Barbara) Lewis, his children Kimberly (John) Clemons, Eric Lewis, and Cynthia Hicks, six grandchildren, a growing number (literally) of great grandchildren, and many others including nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

A celebration of Earl's life will be held outside on the grounds of Ephesus Baptist Church on Tuesday, August 25, 2020 at 10 a.m. with Bro. Marvin Lee officiating. Earl will be laid to rest in the Kings Ferry Cemetery following the service. A visitation with the family will be on Monday, August 24, 2020 from 5-7p.m. at Nassau Funeral Home. The arrangements are under the care and direction of Nassau Funeral Home, 541720 US-1, Callahan, Florida 32011. 904-879-1770. Visit www.nassaufh.com to sign the family's guest book.