Lewis Clarkson, age 94, went home to be with his Savior on November 23, 2013. Lew had a long commitment to Emmaus Bible College, serving on the Board of Trustees of Emmaus for nearly 20 years and as a Trustee Emeritus until he passed into the presence of his Lord. He was instrumental in executing the move of Emmaus to Dubuque, spending extended time in traveling around the country to share Vision 84.
Lew was born on May 13, 1919, in Buxton, Iowa in Monroe County. His family moved to Hocking and later to Des Moines where he graduated from East High School. Lew served in the Army during World War II, earning the Purple Heart. Following the war, he began his real estate career, operating Lew Clarkson Real Estate Service for 30 years. Lew was a lifelong member of Creekside Church (formerly Cornerstone Community Church), where he served in various leadership capacities. He gave much time and resources to Christian activities. His passion was to help young people, and he supported several camps for kids.
He was a long time resident of Johnston, Iowa, where he helped in the chartering process and played a major role in bringing Little League baseball to Johnston. He was a faithful booster of Johnston Schools. Lew was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret, to whom he was married for 63 years. He is survived by five sons; Rodney (Carole) of Ankeny, Richard (Ann Marie) of Bristol, RI, Randall (Kathy) of Johnston, Rollie (Debbie) of Johnston, and Ronald (Ann) of Colorado Springs, CO. He has 16 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren.
Dave Glock, former Dean of Education and current Bible faculty member at Emmaus Bible College, remembers Lew. “For many years I have been privileged to serve the Lord with a ‘true yoke fellow’ Lew Clakson. Lew was a man of faith and vision. He shared his enthusiasm, faith, and vision in numerous settings—his family of servants for Christ, his local church, his love for Christian camps around the country, and his provision for worldwide evangelism. Countless people have been touched for Christ in salvation and spiritual growth through the zeal and vision of faith of this man of God. It has been a high privilege to serve with Lew Clarkson—a loyal friend and servant of Christ. I will miss Lew!”
