James William Lewis Obituary and Memorial

James "Jamie" William Lewis Sr., 85, of Harkers Island, departed the confines of his earthly body and entered into the presence of our Lord and Heavenly Father on Thursday, June 27, 2024, at the Crystal Coast Hospice House in Newport, NC after a hard-fought battle with dementia.
Jamie was born on February 4, 1939, to Burgess and Nora Lewis on Harkers Island, NC.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, at the Harkers Island Methodist Church with Pastor Lee Pittard officiating. Following the service, interment will take place privately with close family at Vergie Mae Cemetery on Harkers Island.
Jamie was a true Harkers Islander, born and bred. He spent his early years playing and working around the waters of Core Sound. He was also known as an excellent pitcher and hitter playing baseball in his teens. Another favorite hobby and past time for Jamie was his love of hunting waterfowl, especially black ducks, sprigtails, and teal.
However, he is best known as a master boatbuilder and carpenter. Along with his brother, Houston Lewis, they formed Lewis Bros. Boatworks in the early 70's. Jamie and Houston were later joined by Jamie's son, James Lewis Jr., and went on to build many wooden boats throughout the years. From small eight-foot skiffs to seventy-foot trawlers, island work boats to sport fishing boats, they are scattered all across the eastern US. Many beautiful boats were turned out through his sixty-five plus years as a boatbuilder. This led to his co-winning the prestigious 2016 North Carolina Heritage Award, along with his brother, Houston, and son, James, for their traditional rack-of-eye style of boatbuilding.
Jamie held a deep love for the Lord as he was always reading his Bible until his eyesight began to fail. He was a faithful, and dedicated member of the Harkers Island Methodist Church, where he was a regular attendee almost every Sunday. until his health took its toll and prevented him from going.
A devoted husband, father, and grandfather, he passed his love of the water, boats, hunting, craftsmanship and love of the Lord down to his son and grandson, as well as being a loving Christian husband to his wife, Pearl. Jamie also held a deep love for all his nieces and nephew.
He is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 56 years, Pearl Lewis of Harkers Island, NC; son, James Lewis Jr. and wife, Michelle of Harkers Island, NC; grandson, Dereck Lewis and wife, Kaitlyn of Williston, NC; brother, Houston Lewis and wife, Terry of Harkers Island, NC; niece, Mary Lewis Scarbraugh and husband, Anthony of Washington, NC; niece, Nora Lewis Lawrence and husband, Corey of Smyrna, NC; niece, Elizabeth Lewis, of Harkers Island NC; great nieces, Kristen Styron, Emma Styron, and Ilyse Styron all of Smyrna, NC; nephew, John Robinson and wife, Wendy of Stacy, NC; niece, Serina Kannan and husband, Patrick "Pizza" of Morehead City, NC; great nieces, Emilee Graham and husband, Austin of Mill Creek, NC; and Ashlyn Robinson and fiancée, Larry Leal of Stacy, NC; and many cousins and close friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Burgess and Nora Lewis; a baby brother, Houston Lewis; brother, Steven Lewis; and brother, Paulie Lewis; sister-in-law, Alicia Lewis.
The family would like to thank the following: Harkers Island Rescue Squad, the nurses and staff at Carteret Health Care, the nurses and staff at the Crystal Coast Hospice House and Pastor Lee Pittard. We thank you all for the love, care and support you showed and expressed with Jamie as well as ourselves through this most difficult and trying time. We cannot express our gratitude enough!
Condolences and life tributes may be sent to the family at www.noefs.net.
Arrangements by Noe Funeral Service, Inc. of Beaufort, NC.