James L. Lewis, 71, died surrounded by family, in Sebring, Florida on January 25, 2023.

He was born on August 30, 1951 in Middletown, Ohio to John L. Lewis and Dorothy Mae Wells.

Jim is survived by his wife of 25 years, Kristina; four children; Shae Sullivan (Matt), Jon Jacobus (Heidi), Jenni Markello (John) and James Jacobus (Laura); nine grandchildren, Keagen, Wrigley, Katie, Jack, Carter, Sydney, Parker, Max, and Alex; and one sister, Faye Acord.

Jim made lifelong friends from being an athlete at Oblong High School, in Illinois, as well as Eastern Illinois University, where he played football and was the starting linebacker for four years before graduating and entering into the teaching profession.  Over the course of his career, he was a teacher, coach, vice principal, and principal at various school districts and a superintendent at both Beardstown CUSD #15 and Canton USD #66, both in Illinois. 

He cherished the many friendships he made throughout the years in all of his various roles. Jim and his wife, Kris, moved from Canton to Sebring, Florida, fourteen years ago where they attended the St. Agnes Episcopal Church. He was a security guard at Sun N Lake for six years.  In Jim’s spare time, he enjoyed watching football (and cheering on old teammates as they coached in various roles), playing the game of golf, and riding around in the golf cart with his wife and dogs.  Jim was a quiet and private person, but if you were one of the lucky ones to be in his circle, you understood there wasn’t a thing in the world that he wouldn’t do for anyone who needed it. 

A private graveside service will be held at Oak Hill Cemetery in Lewistown, Illinois at a later date.