Lew was born in Duplin County, North Carolina. He attended Mount Olive schools in Wayne County. After high school graduation in 1956, and not wanting to work in the pickle plant, Lew joined the Air Force. He had basic training at Lackland Air Force Base and was sent to Syracuse University to study Russian Language. He spent time in Wakanai, Japan. He finished his service at George Air Force base in Victorville and had many stories about the characters that came and went through there.
After the service, Lew worked for Burroughs Business Machines as a repairman in the LA area and then was hired by Safeway Stores to work in their new computer center. He went on to run the computer center for Golden Creme, and was recruited by Sperry Flight Systems to come to Phoenix to run their avionics computer center.
Lew bought his home in Cave Creek in the fall of 1968 from Curt and Corky Cockburn. He commuted daily to Sperry’s offices at the Financial Center near Osborn and Central Avenue. Many mornings, he was on Cave Creek Road in front of the Wagon Wheel and was met by an Air Force Lieutenant Colonel driving a Porche 911. He and Lew, in his Triumph TR4, would race down Cave Creek Road to Cactus Road. After work Lew liked to go to Harold’s. At first, Harold was leery of Lew, thinking he was “the Law”, because he was wearing a coat and tie. A long-time member of ASRA (Arizona Sports Racing Association) Lew helped organize the Eloy Grand Prix. He also had a private pilot’s license and loved to fly his plane from the Carefree airport.
After leaving Sperry, Lew was a part of a small mining operation near Camp Creek. He was known to say “The only things that were mined were his pockets”. He went on to get his real estate license, joining Hildreth Olsen at Cave Creek Realty. He also worked at Realty Executives Carefree office and in 1987, he and Tara Laman opened Black Mountain Realty.
1989 brought the purchase of the Mineshaft Restaurant and Bar from Maurine Newbanks. During this time, along with Ellen Sands (Treehouse), Danny Piacuadio (Harold’s), Ed and Maria Chilleen(the Satisfied Frog), Bart Krasen(lndian Village) and many others, Lew was instrumental in forming the Black Mountain Merchant’s association. Events included Gong Shows, Barstool Racing, Bed and Bathtub races, merchant auctions and other fundraisers to benefit the first Fourth of July Fireworks displays in Cave Creek.
Lew performed many weddings for free. He took the responsibility seriously. One couple wanted to get married on the Cartwright ranch in Seven Springs. Knowing them, Lew insisted they travel in separate vehicles so that they couldn’t have a fight on the way there.
“Live from the Mineshaft in Cave Creek Arizona!!!” could be heard every weekday in the opening minute of the Jones and Boze radio show. Featuring Bob Boze Bell and David K. Jones, a live broadcast occurred from the Mineshaft, open to the public for attendance. Lew laughingly remembered one rare morning when he listened to the show from bed. Bob had arranged for a sizeable teacher group to attend. David K. asked Bob if he had mentioned it to Lew. Lew flew out of bed, got himself to the Mineshaft to help Avis, the cook that morning. Lew operated The Mineshaft for most of those years till closing in 1999.
Lew “retired” and concentrated on building a cabin on a small lot in Mogollon, New Mexico in the summers. He spent many years with the volunteer fire department there. Winters were spent on building improvements on the Jackson Mill site by Camp Creek.
Lew passed away September 4th after a prolonged illness. He was ingenious, generous, hard-working, and fun loving. Look out Heaven!
Donations in his memory can be made to the Cave Creek Museum and the Foothills food bank.
