Lewis James Ansell

Lewis James Ansell, 89, of Klamath Falls and formerly of Union County, died May 24 at Sky Lakes Medical Center from complications of Parkinson's disease.

A memorial service begins at 4 p.m. Saturday at the First Presbyterian Church in Klamath Falls. A celebration of life begins at 11 a.m. July 4 at Grandview Cemetery in La Grande.

Lewis was born Aug. 5, 1918, to Vana Marie Wheat Ansell and Leonard John Ansell in Hazelton, Idaho. Lewis received his bachelor of science degree from Eastern Oregon State College studying there from 1936 to 1940. He enlisted in the Army April 1, 1943 and eventually attained the rank of Technician Fifth Grade. He was a truck driver from Marseille, France to the front lines in World War II. He received a Good Conduct medal. He was wounded from a mortar blast during the Battle of the Bulge. He learned French in Belgium and traveled throughout Europe. Lewis assisted in the exchange of refugees and POW's at the end of the war. He then spent time in an English hospital. He was discharged Dec. 11, 1945.

He married Corinne B. Oct. 3, 1943, at the First Presbyterian Church in La Grande.

He earned his master's degree in chemistry and physics from Oregon State University in 1958. Lewis was a science teacher and taught in Union from 1947 to 1956. He worked summers for the Forest Service and the State of Oregon Highway Department.

He attended physics summer programs at Reed College in Portland in 1956 and 1959. He taught in Rio Vista, Calif., from 1958 to 1960 and at Klamath Union High School from 1960 to 1983. Subjects he taught included chemistry, physics, general science, astronomy, photo lab and basic math skills. He served as adviser to the science and chess clubs.

Lewis also tutored for Klamath Adult Learning Center and taught two terms of physics at Oregon Institute of Technology. He was the recipient of scholarships for the University of Redlands, Calif., in 1965 in calculus and for University of Nevada in 1975 for geology.

Lewis' hobbies included Native American arts and culture, petroglyphs, fossils, rock hounding, astronomy, reading science, reading fiction and storytelling. He also liked to discuss creationism as being supported by science.

He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and was a lifetime Mason in Union County. He belonged to the Klamath Horse Club from 1990 to 1994 and was a member of the NAACP from 1968 to 1970.

Survivors include his son and daughter-in-law, John and Laurie Ansell of Estacada; daughter, Marne Ansell of Klamath Falls; seven grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son, James Ansell and his wife, Corinne Ansell.

Memorial contributions may be made to any charity.