Oscar Herman Lewis

Oscar Herman Lewis Lakeland - Oscar Herman Lewis, 95, of Lakeland, Florida passed away peacefully Saturday, April 2, 2016. Herman, a native Floridian, graduated from Lakeland High School and later from the University of Florida in 1943 with a Bachelor""s degree in Business. While at the University of Florida, Herman was a ROTC Cadet and, upon graduating, entered WW- II as a 2nd Lt. Infantry officer leading his men into active combat in France, Belgium and Germany. He received the Silver Star and Purple Heart and would eventually rise to the rank of Lt. Col. While serving in the U.S. Army Reserve. Upon returning from Europe, Herman took over his dad""s fledgling business in 1945 growing it to becoming Mutual Wholesale Co., the 11th largest full-line Food-Service Distributor in the U.S. Herman was active and generous in the community. But his real passion was his business and his very loyal business associates many of whom worked with him for over 40 years and numbered well over 500. Other than his work, Herman had two passions: sports cars and growing Mango trees, especially the Hatcher variety of which he was quite an expert. Herman""s surviving family includes his wife, Grace Lewis and family, two daughters, Lynda Buck and Barbara Andrews, two son-in-laws, Steve Buck and Judge Daniel True Andrews, two grandchildren, Joy Williams and Neil Buck, great grandchildren Reagan and Julia Williams and Amelia Buck. Herman was preceded in death by his first wife Grace Dukes Lewis. The family is especially appreciative of Herman""s very faithful pal and companion, Charles Camp. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to the Lewis Family Nursing Scholarship at Florida Southern College 111 Lake Hollingsworth Drive, Lakeland, FL 33801. Visitation is at the Heath Funeral Chapel Tribute Center at 328 S. Ingraham Ave on Tuesday, April 5th, 2016 from 5 to 7 PM. The funeral service will be held at the Annie Pfeiffer Chapel at Florida Southern College at 10 AM Wednesday, April 6th. Service: 04/06/2016 Annie Pfeiffer Chapel 111 Lake Hollingsworth Drive Lakeland, FL 33801 Heath Funeral Chapel - Tribute Center Visitation: 04/05/2016 Heath Funeral Chapel - Tribute Center