Alvin Grant Lewis

Alvin Grant Lewis went to be with his Lord and Savior on February 27, 2024, after a short battle with cancer that he never allowed to get the best of him. He passed as he lived, courageously, quietly and with great faith for a bright future in heaven. Alvin was born on December 8, 1932, in San Mateo County to Alvin Frances and Jane Lewis. He was raised in Scott Valley by his grandparents, Grant and Lillian Lewis. On June 30, 1954, Alvin married his high school sweetheart Helen Hammond and this June 30th would have been 70 years. Twenty-one family members were in attendance for an early celebration of their seven decades of marriage while Alvin was in the hospital just two weeks before his passing. Alvin developed a strong work ethic at an early age with daily chores on the family farm where he cut wood, raised lambs, helped his family build the Hayes Meadow cabin up Kidder Creek and later in life grazed cattle in the same mountains he lovingly called home. Alvin attended Greenview Grammar School and graduated from Etna Union High School in 1951, receiving the Bank of America Achievement Award for Vocational Arts. Future Farmers of America (FFA) was a place where Alvin excelled. In 1954, Alvin was one of 12 California youths who received the coveted American Farmer degree during the national Future Farmers of America convention in Kansas City, Mo. He was the first Siskiyou County resident on record to receive this prestigious award. Serving his community came naturally to Alvin and he enjoyed being active in the Greenview Fire Department and Scott Valley Grange #386. He developed his leadership skills and served his community through his early roles in these organizations. Alvin loved his 32 year career with the Soil Conservation Service and was working full-time when he received his A.A. degree from COS in 1972. Based out the Etna office, he served the Scott and Shasta Valleys, Salmon River and remote locations such as the Godfrey Ranch and Black Bear Commune. Alvin received many awards, commendations and recognitions. He was an expert in rock riprap and planted golden willows along the Scott River for stream restoration, thus saving many acres of rich farm land from being washed into the river. After retiring from the SCS in 1989, Alvin began his second career as a courier for Scott Valley Bank and Fairchild Medical Center. It was during these years he increased his friendship loop and included many personal connections throughout Siskiyou County. Of Alvin's many treasured accomplishments, none were as important to him as his love for Jesus and his wife and daughters. He thought his heart was full, and along came his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was always looking for a teachable moment and he never backed up from asking someone if they knew Jesus. He had an evangelistic way about him and knew that his purpose on earth was for God's glory. Alvin and Helen were blessed with six daughters, Wanda Peters, Joan (Dan) Lulich, Rosaland (Randy) Waters, Carla Birmingham, Lillian (Grant) Eastlick and Lavonne (Bill) Pennington, 14 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Preceding Alvin in death were his grandparents Grant and Lillian Lewis, father Alvin F. Lewis, mother Jane Wiltse, parents-in-law Carl Sr. and Jessie Hammond and grandson Sawyer Eastlick. There will be a short committal service at the Fort Jones Public Cemetery in the Lewis Family plot on Saturday, March 9th at 10 am, followed by a Celebration of Life service at 11:30 am at the Scott Valley Berean Church, 134 Church St, Etna, California with a potluck following.

Alvin Grant Lewis

December 8, 1932 - February 27, 2024