Richard Lewis

(From Martin Mortuary)

Richard Wade Lewis, of Clifton, Colorado, passed away at home with his family on February 7, 2026. He was 59.

Richard was born on August 20, 1966, in Joplin, Missouri. He spent his childhood in Mt. Vernon, Missouri and graduated from Mt. Vernon High School in 1984. Curious by nature, Richard visited the funeral home near his house and discovered that he was quite comfortable in that environment. He decided to pursue a career in funeral service and attended Kansas City Community College, where he received his degree in Mortuary Science. He began his career at Fossett-Mosher Funeral Home, and later moved to Hobbs, New Mexico to work at Chapel of Hope. He moved to Grand Junction, Colorado, in 2001 and proudly served as a funeral director and location manager at Martin Mortuary for almost 25 years. 

His calm presence and warm hugs helped countless families through the hardest days of their lives. Richard was a strong leader and an inspiration to the people he mentored through the years, and his legacy will live on in those he taught.

Richard married Sarah Miller in 1986, and they had three daughters. He took trips to visit his children and grandchildren whenever he could and had many amazing adventures with his Aunt Nancy. He was a film and TV enthusiast, creator and avid listener of music, comic book fanatic, and lover of all things strange and unusual. 

Richard is survived by his daughters, Adallee (Ryan) Joyce of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Zola (Kevin) Lovell of Seattle, Washington, and Clara Lewis of Springfield, Missouri; his grandchildren, Lana Joyce and Henry Joyce; and his aunt, Nancy Tabb of Arizona City, Arizona. He was preceded in death by his father, Wade Preston Lewis, and his sister, Melissa Kay Seamon.

A celebration of Richard’s life will take place on Monday, February 23, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at Martin Mortuary.