Lewis L. “Poncho” Self, 76, a longtime resident of Hamilton, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, May 29, 2015.
He was born on July 16, 1938 in Spring Creek, North Carolina, one of 13 children of William & Lillie Mae (Presnell) Self.
In 1957 Lewis was united in marriage to Norma Bruns and from that union his 4 children Joanne, Julie, Rick & Kevin were born. He later married Mary Lou Johnson who preceded him in death in 1970. In 1972 he married Helen Crawshaw and in 2005 she too preceded him in death.
Lewis worked in the timber industry as a shake packer in the cedar mills for most of his life, working many years for Richard Nelles in Hamilton.
He was an avid sportsman and enjoyed hunting and fishing and just being outdoors taking his dogs for walks.
Lewis was a 22 year volunteer fireman for the Punkin Center Fire Dept. and gave his utmost to helping others, always giving 100 percent to whatever he was doing. He was also very musically inclined with singing and playing his harmonica; he loved bluegrass and sacred music.
Lewis’ grandson, Michael Self, was his right hand man, always there to help grandpa, whatever the project.
Lewis is survived by his children and their spouses, Joanne & David Thompson, Julie & Wayne Bacus, Rick & Jennifer Self and Kevin & Linda Self; 13 grandchildren, Saunya Hanson, Michelle Edwards, Lisa Warner, Andrew, Sean & Nicholas Bacus, Randy, Lisa, Nick, Vanessa, KC, Michael and Aaron Self and 17 great-grandchildren; 5 brothers, Homer, Luke (Sharon), David (Leona), Jesse (Wanda) and Cecil (Judy) Self; 2 sisters, Ruth Osborne and Lilly Fritz; special nieces, Bobbie Anne, Cindy & Katrina who were very special to Lewis; sister-in-law, Faye Self; his breakfast buddy, Becky Jones; close friends, April & Rick Soria and their family, along with many others.
Besides his wives, he was also preceded in death by his parents; his brothers and their wives, Vernon & Pauline Self, Samuel & Edith Self, Calvin Self, Sherril Self; infant brother, Conly Self and sister-in-law, Ovella Self.
Lewis will be laid to rest at a graveside inurnment service on Thursday, July, 16, 2015 at 11:00 AM at the Hamilton Cemetery. A finger food potluck fellowship will follow at his daughter Julie’s home in Sedro-Woolley.
Will miss uncle Poncho….always a big bear hug for you! Dad will miss your visits…RIP, luv you.
Uncle Lewis….and family….
My heart goes out to you uncle “Poncho”….you taught me so much in life that being mad at someone doesn’t mean you stop loving them…how to be a hard worker….you taught me how to drive (on the logging roads at age 11 )….I remember the day you put me behind the wheel of your old yellow truck….you were so proud of that loud noisy musical horn….you said ” keep it in the center of the road boy and drive.”…..I will never forget how many times I begged you to drive that old truck again and again….how you could say things that would make a sailor blush and we’d laugh for hours…..as for my Dad David the words don’t come easy for him I know but you were more like his best friend than just his younger brother he loves you with all his heart and soul and it meant a lot when you would come over every sunday just to take him to see grandma Self in the nursing home…..uncle Lewis you meant so much to so many people you knew when to laugh and when to be straight forward and serious and you were my favorite uncle I will miss you and so will many others….may God carry you home and reunite you with everyone you have missed for so very long….God Bless you Joanne, Julie, Rick and Kevin “Poncho” rides off into the sunset now but he left his laughter and his smile with us forever….-Jason H. Self
my grandpa Lewis always new how to make you laugh he loved to play his harmonica he loved to build wishing wells flower pots bird houses all kinds of stuff out of wood he was a great and wonderful person I loved him a lot and I will miss him so much the hospital said he had more time to be here with us and they were wrong his number was up god wanted him to join him by his side so we need to remember all the good things he did and was about that’s what he would want after all if he saw us crying he would probably say turn that froun upside down write well love you grandpa R.I.P forever in my heart Lisa Werner