Lewis, James F. – 1923-1959

BUNCH, FLEENER, HOLDEFER, KIMBERLEY, LENOX, LEWIS, MILLIGAN, SLEIGH, WARRICK

Posted By: Diana Wagner
Date: 6/15/2017 at 11:30:26

Colfax Man Killed In Accident While Working With Bulldozer
James F. Lewis, 35, of this city, was killed about 5:00 o’clock Wednesday afternoon, April 22nd, when struck by a heavy tree limb at the site of the new Colfax high school in this city. He was operating a bulldozer at the time.
The accident happened when Mr. Lewis was pushing trees and brush into a pile as an employee of the Colfax Construction Co., which had the contract for clearing the land. According to Ray Gaylor, Jasper county sheriff, Mr. Lewis was killed when he was pushing a large tree onto the pile and it rolled over on the bulldozer.
John Horton, owner of the Construction Company, had left the scene of the accident only a few minutes earlier to do some work at his shop. When he returned to the grounds he went to the spot where Mr. Lewis was working and found him pinned in the seat of the bulldozer with the limb against him. The machine was still churning and was buried in the ground up to the track. Unable to pull the victim from the seat, he secured a power saw from Ray Buckley and returned to the scene where the limb was cut and Mr. Lewis’ body removed from the tractor. Officials investigating the accident stated death was instantaneous. Mr. Lewis suffered a broken neck and a severely crushed chest.
The victim had been working for the Construction Co. for about three weeks, having recently taken that job after having been employed at the Maytag Company in Newton for several years.
He is survived by his wife, Agnes, a daughter Rebecca Rae, 8, and a son, Duane Allen, 11, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. George Lewis of this city, nine sisters, Mrs. George (Mildred) Kimberley of Collins, Mrs. Max (Virginia) Bunch of Portland, Oregon, Mrs. Howard (Helen) Holdefer of Kellogg, Mrs. Arnold (Betty Jean) Milligan of Albion, Mrs. William (Evelyn) Kimberley of Ft. Dodge, Mrs. Byron (Trula) Fleener of Altoona, Mrs. Robert (Bertine) Sleigh of Killduff, Mrs. James (Georgena) Lenox of Altoona and Linda Sue at home as well as one brother, Russell, also at home.
Well known by residents of this community, and better known by his nickname (Bullets) he had a host of friends made throughout his life. Born November 1, 1923 at Ira, he received his education in the Colfax schools and was married Aug. 10, 1947 to Agnes Marie Warrick. He was a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen at Boone, and of the American Legion in Colfax. He served in the Navy as a petty officer 1st class for 8 years.
Funeral services were conducted from the Colfax Baptist church Saturday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Charles Reed, pastor, officiating.
Music was furnished by Miss Jayne Paynter, soloist with Mrs. F. B. Evans, organist.
Pall bearers were Harvey Hill, Charles Lewis, Clifford Lewis, Harold Hill, James Lewis and Harry Lewis, Jr.
Flower committee – Mrs. Royal Battles and Mrs. Dave Morris.
Burial was in the McKeever cemetery north of Colfax.
Source: Colfax Tribune; April 30, 1959