Lewis Jefferson Overton

Overton, Lewis Jefferson Lew, Lewis, �L.J.� was born on April 17, 1939, to George and Mabel Estina Overton in Austin, TX. Three days after his birth, his mother died due to complications of childbirth. He made no secret of the Prostate cancer that metastasized to his entire spinal column, other bones, and his brain, before detection. Immodestly, he preferred that others learn a lesson from his fear and mistake. He was raised by his mother�s aunts, uncles, and his mother�s brother, Ray Edmerson. He was predeceased by his mother, Mabel Estina Overton, his father, George, his uncle Raymond Edmerson, and cousin, Alice Earls Bridges. He is survived by his wife, Lyn Overton, of Albuquerque, daughters Kimberly Quinn of Jackson, CA, Kelli Gawrichevsky of Carson City, NV, six grandchildren, Jesseca McKelvey of Lodi, CA, Ben Standard of Jackson, CA, Victoria and Garrett VanWinkle of Carson City, NV, Dallas and Kaitlyn Burnett of Carson City, NV; his Aunt Eugenia Edmerson of Sunnyside, WA; cousins Rosa and Garland Earls of Austin, TX, one great-grandchild, Lucas Patane, and many more loving relatives and friends who will miss his humor, smile, good advice, encouragement, laughter, generosity, acceptance, intelligence, intuition, compassion, and unique interests, so very much. L.J. was baptized in the river at Austin, TX at a young age. He played piano at Willie Chapel Primitive Baptist Church in Austin (named for one of his mother�s Aunts who raised him). His talent and skill would later include the timpani and other percussion instruments for the San Francisco State University Orchestra, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. He later managed the Art Department at the University of San Francisco. Working his way through college, Lewis was employed in the Pathology Lab at Southern Pacific Hospital in San Francisco. Working with a group of Russian immigrants, he mentioned to them that he needed a language in order to achieve his degree. They taught him Russian by speaking no other language around him. Later, after enlisting in the U. S. Navy, he had minor assignments leading up to Russian Language Analyst, interpreting radio transmissions from the Russians. He was also recruited into Navy Intelligence where he completed several dangerous covert operations before leaving the service. Though required to do those operations by virtue of being in the Navy, his life was significantly altered by the assignments which were contradictory to the teachings and expectations of the fine family who raised him. Though he maintained a fascination with clandestine operations around the world, his part in it silently haunted him until the day God took him into his loving arms. Lewis Overton easily fit in everywhere and enjoyed causing others to stop and take a second look at him as a man. His charismatic personality drew you in and kept your heart light. Lewis, a lifetime classical, jazz, and R&B music authority and connoisseur, managed the music group The Commodores briefly and promoted record sales for Motown. A dapper dresser, Lew worked for retail stores in San Francisco, Sacramento and Albuquerque, including 19 years at the Men�s Wearhouse. After retirement, Lew excelled in yet another field as he assisted the Funeral Directors of Daniels Family Funeral Service. Lew passed away peacefully with family and friends by his side. A memorial service will be held on Monday, May 20, 2013, 10:00 am, at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 1818 Coal Pl, Albuquerque. Interment will take place Monday, May 20, 2013 at Santa Fe National Cemetery, at 3:00 pm. Services are entrusted to: Daniels Family Funeral Services 1100 Coal Ave SE Albuquerque, NM 87106 505-842-8800