Former Wheaton resident publishes book
Author Jerry Lewis is pictured above with his wife, Janice.
July 29, 2015
Shania Stumpff
Growing up, Jimmy R. Lewis was raised three miles west of Wheaton, or as some would say, he lived on the road between Stella and Wheaton. The former Wheaton resident recently published a book called ‘‘Listening to the Jar Flies: Growing Up in Wheaton and Rocky Comfort.” His book tells stories of tragedy and humor all within the small town of Wheaton.
Lewis graduated from Wheaton High School in 1957. He went on to complete college at The University of Missouri School of Journalism. Later, he joined the Army and was enlisted for four years.
Lewis has had various jobs in many different places. He was a reporter for the St. Louis Globe Democrat and a reporter for The Sacramento Union and The Sacramento Bee. Lewis won numerous awards for his excellent work as an investigative reporter. Lewis also worked for a U.S. senator from 1994-95.
Lewis currently lives in Sacramento Cali., with his wife, Janice, who is originally from Crane.
In 1995, Wheaton held a reunion for all the classes that graduated in the 1950’s. Knowing that Lewis was a reporter, a couple of the local residents asked him to write and tell some stories of what it was like growing up in Wheaton.
Lewis retired in 2008 and really began thinking of a good way he could share all the stories he had about growing up in Wheaton. Lewis finally decided to write a book so more than just the locals could enjoy the old country stories. “I traveled back to Wheaton a few times to interview some of the old timers,” said Lewis. “I also used some old weekly Wheaton Journals that were compiled onto some DVD’s thanks to the Wheaton Historical Society.”
Lewis said, “The title Listening to the Jar Flies is a metaphor representing kids listening to what is going on in their community. We did a lot of that growing up in Wheaton.”
Lewis’ book contains 31 stories from his memory combined with interviews and the DVD journals.
There will be a book signing for Listening to the Jar Flies on August 29 at the Wheaton Fireman’s Barbecue.
Lewis’ book can be purchased on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
Shania Stumpff
Growing up, Jimmy R. Lewis was raised three miles west of Wheaton, or as some would say, he lived on the road between Stella and Wheaton. The former Wheaton resident recently published a book called ‘‘Listening to the Jar Flies: Growing Up in Wheaton and Rocky Comfort.” His book tells stories of tragedy and humor all within the small town of Wheaton.
Lewis graduated from Wheaton High School in 1957. He went on to complete college at The University of Missouri School of Journalism. Later, he joined the Army and was enlisted for four years.
Lewis has had various jobs in many different places. He was a reporter for the St. Louis Globe Democrat and a reporter for The Sacramento Union and The Sacramento Bee. Lewis won numerous awards for his excellent work as an investigative reporter. Lewis also worked for a U.S. senator from 1994-95.
Lewis currently lives in Sacramento Cali., with his wife, Janice, who is originally from Crane.
In 1995, Wheaton held a reunion for all the classes that graduated in the 1950’s. Knowing that Lewis was a reporter, a couple of the local residents asked him to write and tell some stories of what it was like growing up in Wheaton.
Lewis retired in 2008 and really began thinking of a good way he could share all the stories he had about growing up in Wheaton. Lewis finally decided to write a book so more than just the locals could enjoy the old country stories. “I traveled back to Wheaton a few times to interview some of the old timers,” said Lewis. “I also used some old weekly Wheaton Journals that were compiled onto some DVD’s thanks to the Wheaton Historical Society.”
Lewis said, “The title Listening to the Jar Flies is a metaphor representing kids listening to what is going on in their community. We did a lot of that growing up in Wheaton.”
Lewis’ book contains 31 stories from his memory combined with interviews and the DVD journals.
There will be a book signing for Listening to the Jar Flies on August 29 at the Wheaton Fireman’s Barbecue.
Lewis’ book can be purchased on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
