Honoring one of their own
Firefighters, law enforcement personnel and others pay tribute to Marion County firefighter/EMT Evan Lewis, who died at age 21.
Evan Lewis, at right, who had recently completed his firefighter and EMT training and had begun his career with Marion County Fire Rescue, is shown with his father Adrian Lewis. [Photo courtesy Marion County Fire Rescue/FB]
Hundreds of firefighters, law enforcement officers, family members and friends gathered June 26 at First Baptist Church of Ocala to honor the life of Evan Daniel Lewis, a 21-year-old Marion County Fire Rescue firefighter/EMT whose life of service ended just as his career was beginning.
Lewis died June 18 from injuries sustained in a motorcycle crash. His funeral service reflected both the close-knit nature of Marion County’s first responder community and the promise many believed he carried into the profession.
Lewis had recently completed his firefighter and EMT training and had begun his career with Marion County Fire Rescue. According to his obituary, his goal was to continue his education and become a paramedic.
His father, Adrian Lewis, is a deputy with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Billy Woods joined numerous members of the sheriff’s office in attending the service, alongside firefighters from throughout the region.
Fire rescue personnel honored Lewis with traditional fire service ceremonies, including a flag folding and presentation, helmet presentation, shadow box presentation, last call, bell ringing and a bagpiper performing “Amazing Grace.”
Fire Chief James Banta delivered remarks during the service, while family members and friends reflected on Lewis’ life, his infectious personality and his commitment to serving others.
In a letter written by his mother, Crystal Smith, and read by MCFR Chaplain Joshua Deese, she described her son as the light of her life and spoke of the lasting impact he made in just 21 years.
“There are no words to tell you how proud of you that I was,” she wrote. “You will continue to do so by selflessly saving the lives you saved.”
That commitment to helping others continued after his death.
Family members said Lewis donated his organs so others could live, allowing his legacy of service to continue. A video of Lewis being wheeled down the hall lined with servicemen and women to the surgical room was played during the funeral as the “honor walk.”
His stepfather, Michael Smith, thanked Marion County Fire Rescue for caring for the family following the tragedy, saying the department demonstrated compassion, dignity and honor behind the scenes during one of the most difficult moments of their lives.
“I don’t think there’s any way we could ever repay them for their honor and their duty that they have shown our family and our son,” Smith said.
Smith also spoke about the excitement Lewis felt after completing his training just days before the crash. He shared a recent text exchange in which he congratulated Lewis on finishing EMT school.
“I just heard. Good job, buddy. I’m so proud of you,” Smith recalled texting.
Lewis responded: “Thank you so much. Stress off my shoulders.”
Coach Hal Roberts remembered Lewis as a dependable teammate and encouraged those gathered to view his life not by its length but by the way he lived it.
“This was Evan’s race,” Roberts said. “It turned out to be a sprint — only 21 years.”
Lewis’ obituary described him as someone who “never met a stranger,” enjoyed fishing, working on cars, music and spending time with family and friends. He is survived by his father, Adrian Lewis (wife Lisa Lewis); his mother, Crystal Smith (husband Michael Smith); and his siblings, Izaiah, Gregory, Victoria, Luke, Madison and Kimberlyn; and numerous extended family members.
Lewis’ brother, Luke Pent, sang the song “Drift Away” by Uncle Kracker: “Thanks for the joy that you’ve given me. I want you to know that I believe in your song. Your rhythm and rhyme, and harmony. You helped me along (makin’ me strong), oh, you’re makin’ me strong…”
In lieu of flowers, the family requested donations to the Marion County Fire Rescue Benevolent Fund, which assists grieving firefighter families.
Support community journalism
The first goal of the Ocala Gazette is to deliver trustworthy local journalism so corruption, misinformation and abuse are not hidden from the public or unchallenged.
