First Sgt. Alvin Thomas “Tommy” Lewis Jr., U.S. Army-ret., 68, of Terra Alta, West Virginia, died on Thursday, July 20, 2023.

A native of Mathews County, 1st Sgt. Lewis returned to his hometown after 23 years in 1995. He owned and operated Tommy’s Lawn Care Service for 20 years, and volunteered with the Mathews County Crime Solvers for nine years. He worked part-time as a fitness coach at the Mathews Family YMCA for six years.

He was active in the American Legion, Mathews Post 83, and served as Post 83 Commander, 3rd District Vice Commander, Post Adjutant, Post Finance Officer and Veterans Service Officer. In 2004, he was selected Department of Virginia Legionnaire of the Year. He was liaison for BSA Troup #14 and for more than 16 years, was chairman for Virginia Boys State, Virginia State Police Law Cadet Program and Public Affairs Officer for the post.

He entered the Army in 1972 after graduating Mathews High School and served with the Army Security Agency, the Army Intelligence and Security Command, and the National Security Agency with four Military Occupation Specialties.
His military honors included the Legion of Merit, Legionnaire; Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Army Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Achievement Medal, Korea Service Medal, Overseas Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, combat Patch Award, the Meritorious Unit Award, Superior Unit Award and National Defense Service Medal with five clusters, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and several other awards, citations and certificates. In 1982, Staff Sgt. Lewis was presented the National Foreign Intelligence Board’s Citation of Excellence.

Survivors include his wife, Catherine Florence Lewis; son, Austin Z. Jones, and sister, Bonnie B. Hudgins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Alvin T. Lewis Sr. and Shirley Vreeland Lewis Hudgins, and sister, Beverly L.B. Marshall Hughes.

Memorials may be made to American Legion Post 83, P.O. Box 561, Mathews, Va. 23109.

Inurnment at Arlington National Cemetery will be held at a later date.

Condolences may be made at www.arthurwrightfuneralhome.com.