Timothy "Tim" Claude Lewis
November 1, 1949 ~ July 10, 2026
Born in: Florence, Alabama
Resided in: Wichita, Kansas
Timothy Claude Lewis, age 76, of Wichita, Kansas, went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on July 10, 2026, surrounded by his loving family.
Tim was born on November 1, 1949, in Florence, Alabama, to Claude and Madge Lewis. The son of a Church of Christ preacher, Tim spent portions of his growing up years across Tennessee, Idaho, and Arkansas. He graduated from Benton High School and earned a degree in Physical Education from Harding University, where he met and married his faithful wife of 55 years, Ann Starling.
The Lord called Tim into ministry through Ann’s father, Ralph Starling. Ralph asked Tim to come and spend the summer working with the teenagers from their church. That summer sparked Tim’s lifelong passion for working with youth, leading him to become one of the true pioneers in the field of Youth Ministry within the Churches of Christ. At a time when specialized ministry for young people was just beginning to take shape, Tim helped pave the way, shaping the framework for how congregations care for, spiritualize, and support teenagers.
Throughout his decades-long career, he served numerous congregations across the country—sharing his gifts and pouring his life into young people in Birmingham, Alabama; Plainview, Texas; and Irving, Texas. It was in Irving, at the South MacArthur Church of Christ, that Tim truly left his mark. He spent 37 years ministering to that congregation, serving 17 years as the youth minister before transitioning into Involvement Ministry with an intentional focus on global missions. He left an indelible mark on hundreds of young lives both at home and abroad. To many, he was a spiritual father, a trusted counselor, and a constant reminder of the joy we have in Christ.
Following his professional ministry, Tim and Ann moved to Wichita, Kansas, to be closer to family. Here, Tim’s greatest joy was his grandkids. He cherished every moment spent with them, constantly cheering them on and watching them excel in all of their activities. Even in retirement, Tim’s heart for serving young people never wavered; he continued his ministry in Wichita by volunteering and serving on the board of Carpenter Place, a local children’s home for teenage girls. His legacy of laughter, service, and profound faith will continue to ripple through the generations he impacted.
Timothy was preceded in death by his parents, Claude Jr. and Madge Lewis; his brother, Jon Lewis; and his brother-in-law, Dean Wright.
He is survived by his wife, Ann Lewis; his children, Julie (Matt) Tibbles and Micah (Amy) Lewis; his grandchildren, Nathan Lewis, Reese Tibbles, Alli Lewis, Kellyn Tibbles, Kate Lewis, and Maddie Lewis; his sisters, Maurine (Buddy) Jones, Laura Wright, and Cheri (Scott) Smith; his brother, Joel (Emma) Lewis; and a vast community of former youth group members, missionary partners, colleagues, and brothers and sisters in Christ who will deeply miss his wisdom, humor, and joyful spirit.
A celebration of Tim’s life and legacy will be held on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at 2:00 PM at the RiverWalk Church of Christ in Wichita, KS.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made in Tim’s honor to two ministries close to his heart:
- Carpenter Place (Wichita, KS) – carpenterplace.org (1501 N. Meridian Avenue, Wichita, Kansas 67203)
- REMADE/Made in the Streets (Kenya) – remadekenya.org (409 Franklin Road, Brentwood, Tennessee 37027
Services in care of Downing & Lahey West Mortuary.
Services
Celebration of Life: Saturday, July 18, 2026 2:00 pm
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Charities
The family greatly appreciates donations made to these charities in Timothy "Tim" Claude Lewis 's name.
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Love,
Darryl Fulbright Family
Tim was the youth minister to our daughters. Tim and Ann lived in the same neighborhood as Jensy and me. He and I walked together most every weekday morning at 6:30. We shared life during those walks. Jensy and I were fortunate to have had the opportunity to visit with Tim and Ann in 2023 when we were on an extended road trip. RIP, good friend!
Any man that dedicates his life to serving our Lord is special. Tim was always special in his service and was duly recognized by the South MacArthur Church of Christ by ordaining him to serve as an Elder even while he was a paid minister. That is virtually unheard of. My heart also goes out to Tim’s sister Maureen and her husband Buddy. Buddy and Maureen are two of our dearest friends.
Our heartfelt condolences to the entire family. We will always cherish the memories, the blessings, the gentle guidance, and the love you shared with us. Thank you for being such an important part of our lives and for being the one who joined us in marriage—a gift we will never forget.
Tim, we love you and hold your family close in our hearts during this difficult time.
Tim, we love you and hold your family close in our hearts during this difficult time.
I am so sorry for your loss. Tim and I graduated from Benton High School together. He was truly a good guy who lived his life sharing his faith and making an eternal difference in the lives of others. There is no doubt he heard the words “well done my good and faithful servant” as he entered heaven. Prayers for your family🙏
I am forever grateful, thankful and blessed that Tim & Ann touched the lives of my children.
Because of the seeds he planted within them I KNOW where my children’s Eternal home is!
Love,
Debra Fulbright Kitchens
Tim was bigger than life to all who knew him. He was instrumental in Todd and I’s early years in ministry and remained a mentor and friend! We cherished the 7 years of working with he and Ann at South Mac. His impact for the Kingdom of God cannot be measured. We love the Lewis’s and are forever grateful that God arranged our paths to cross this side of heaven. Deepest Sympathy to Ann, Julie, Micah and their famiy’s!
Debbie Gentry 💙
I am so thankful to have learned from Tim and Ann during my youth group years! Tim’s smiles, his lessons that were designed to help us remember important Bible stories or events, and the love he shared with all of us are so special to me! The times we shared during our Manna Bible study times were very special to me. The songs and special moments are treasured times spent with everyone! Thinking of you all at this time and praying for comfort!! Much love to Ann, Julie and Micah and their wonderful families!
My deepest sympathy to Ann, Julie, and Micah and families. Tim’s love for our Lord and energy for the South Mac youth group will be forever remembered. He could light up a room with his smile! Love and prayers for comfort.
Patti Necessary
Last time I seen Tim it was unusual for him to come out of his room and sit with us and have a visit for as long as we did, and I will cherish that time with him, knowing that he was getting ready to have a visit with all his brothers and sisters is even more special and I’m so glad that that was able to happen before he went to be with the Lord . We are here for you through anything. My prayers to you, your kids and grandkids and the all of Tims family . He was a wonderful man who i will never forget.
It was a privilege to know Mr. Tim. He was always kind to me, and I’ll always remember his big smile and infectious laugh. Sending my deepest sympathy to your family.
With love and sympathy,
Shannon Davis
I didn’t have Tim directly as my youth minister at South Mac, but my favorite memory of him is sitting in the floor of someone’s home in junior high and listening to Tim talk about God’s infinite faith and love using the “infinite pitcher” as a depiction.
Tim Lewis was a giant. It’s hard for me to remember my youth at South Mac without feeling his presence, hearing his voice, seeing his smile. For me, Tim modeled many of the best attributes of Christ — service to others, uncommon grace, and unconditional love. His influence on my life was profound. Multiply by thousands of other young people (as well as older people) to whom he ministered, and Tim’s impact cannot be measured. Rest in power, dear Tim. We love you, and we always will.
Tim was “my” youth minister at South MacArthur in the 80’s and had he not made the choice to serve as well as he did (to the glory of God) I don’t know if some of us would have been brought to Christ. I want to thank Ann, Julie and Micah for sharing Tim with so many others over the years and sharing their lives in ministry as well.
Very sorry to hear of Tim’s passing. He was one of Bob’s close buddies during our years at Harding. Tim was always smiling and always found the good in others. I know he will be greatly missed. I’ll be keeping all the family in my prayers.
I have so many great memories of Tim leading our youth group. Camps, lock-ins, retreats, and mission trips were the things we remember- but the hours behind those events in preparation outweighed the time at the events. Thousands of hours poured into us as kids just to prepare us to be great on our own journeys in the future. Thank you so much to you and your dear family!
I first met Tim in Lubbock at the Youth Minister Seminar at the Broadway Youth Center in 1974 and was impressed by his laughter and his sincere love for young people. At that time he was the YM in Plainview. Later in life (1977), he and several junior high boys from his South Mac youth group saved my dad from drowning at a youth retreat in Santo, Texas, the day before the birth of my first child. An indelible memory for me and an event that solidified Tim as a true hero in my life. God bless the family who treasures their own precious memories of this great man.