Rev. John Lewis

Rev. John Satterlee Lewis, 85, joined the communion of saints on Sunday, September 17, 2017.A celebration of life service will be held Saturday, October 7, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 610 2nd Ave. N, Great Falls.John was born December 3, 1931 in Chanute, Kansas to Harry and Helen Lewis. John was raised in the church and the Boy Scouts. He achieved the rank of Eagle Scout before working on a dairy farm and for John Deere. He began pastoring churches in college and served 10 churches in the Kansas East, North Texas, and Yellowstone Conferences of the United Methodist Church, including a term as Superintendent of Northern Montana.His interests included enacting Methodist circuit rider Brother Van Orsdell, volunteering with Tax Help Montana, and advocating for LGBTQ community members and their families. He also enjoyed sailing, hiking, skiing, and most things outdoors.John is survived by his, wife Linda; children Tim (Linda) of Belt, Wes (Pam) of Salt Lake City, UT, Beth (Bruce) Vallier of Vaughn, MT, Dan (Kerry) of Los Angeles, CA, Kelly Shaffer (Blake) Lowthian of Jacksonville, TN, Nicole Shaffer Orta of Helena, MT; 14-ish grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and brother Bob (Artie) of Baxster, MN.He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, and first wife, Janet.Gifts in Johns memory may be made to Parents Reconciling Network, rmnetwork.org/donate-2/, or to First UMC, 610 2nd Ave N., Great Falls, MT 59401.