Bonnie Lewis Jr.

Bonnie Lewis, Jr. passed away on November 16, 2024, leaving behind a legacy of love. A devoted father, husband, uncle, and friend, Bonnie will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Born on March 23, 1948, in Vanport, Oregon, Bonnie and his family relocated to Northeast Portland after the Vanport flood. He grew up enjoying the outdoors as a Boy Scout and attending Irvington Elementary School. Summers were spent in Texas with family and his beloved grandmother, Big Momma. Bonnie graduated from Grant High School in 1966, where he was a state wrestling champion. Later that year, he attended the University of Oregon, where he continued to pursue his passion for wrestling.

After college, Bonnie decided to pursue a career as an electrician. He trained through the Oregon-Columbia Chapter of NECA, and in 1971, he became a trailblazer as one of the first African American men in Oregon to earn a journeyman license.

Throughout his career, Bonnie worked on numerous notable projects in Portland, including the Oregon Convention Center, the Moda Center (formerly the Rose Garden), Emanuel Hospital, and Intel. He also contributed to the installation of streetlights along Front Avenue and many other job sites around the city. Known for his meticulous craftsmanship and strong work ethic, Bonnie took pride in every job he completed. Before ending any job, he had a unique way of leaving his mark! Bonnie always wrote his daughters' names hidden somewhere inside the projects he worked on all over the city. Whenever the towers at the Convention Center, were lit, he would tell his girls that their names will always be in lights.

Bonnie’s greatest joy was his family. He married his high school sweetheart, Carolyn, and together they raised two daughters, Kirby and Kelly. They were married for 35 years until Carolyn's passing in 2006. Bonnie was a dedicated father who loved capturing memories at family events, always with a camera in hand. He was also a passionate collector with interests in reading, photography, music, cars, and movies.

Music was a special part of Bonnie’s life. He was a talented musician, having been a member of several local bands, including Cool Breeze, BL and the Soul Tans, and Groove Tube. Known as "SugarBear" in his younger years, Bonnie was a singer and guitarist with big dreams of stardom. He even carried a gold keychain that read “STAR” as a constant reminder of his passion for music.

Bonnie was preceded in death by his wife, Carolyn Lewis; his parents, Bonnie and Clara Lewis; his sister, Claudia Tellis; and his brother, Herman Taylor. He is survived by his daughters, Kirby Jackson (Michael) of Portland, OR and Kelly Lewis of Dallas, TX; his beloved grandson, Cade Gordon; and a host of loving family and friends.

Bonnie’s memory will live on through his family, his music, and the countless lives he touched over the years. He will be deeply missed.

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