Edward John Lewis III

Edward John Lewis III, aged 80, passed away in Ocala, Florida on May 25, 2026. Ed was a native
of Girard, Ohio, born July 5, 1945, to Edward J. the Second and Rebecca Lewis.

Ed attended Girard High School, graduating fifth of 131 students in 1963, nicknamed Eddie 5 and 5 Ball. He went on to attend THE Ohio State University, where he graduated first in his class from the College of Commerce and Administration in 1967. In 1970, Ed became a CPA and went on to a long and distinguished career in the accounting field. His lifetime included living in Girard, OH, Columbus, OH, Manhattan Beach, CA, Pittsburgh, PA, Lyndurst, OH, Columbus again, Cincinnati, OH, Bonita Springs, FL and finally in Ocala, FL. He made many friends everywhere he lived and was known as Buckeye Ed in his adult life.

A passionate sports fan, particularly of the Cleveland Indians and THE Ohio State University football team who held season tickets for 40 + years, Ed also was also an avid golfer, having had two holes in one in his lifetime. He met his wife Jo Anne on a golf course in 1983, who he married in 1984. He tried to attend as many Girard HS reunions as time and proximity allowed, having deep feelings for everyone from his earlier years. He and his wife were avid Jeopardy and Trivia fans and participants.

Ed was an intelligent, kind, generous man with a wonderful dry sense of humor, as anyone who knew him can attest. A favorite story of his was when checking into the Marriott in New York City where he stayed very frequently for business, all the women who worked there were gathered at the front desk waiting for him; in the movie Pretty Woman, Richard Gere’s name was Edward Lewis and they wanted to make a big deal out of Ed’s arrival.

He is survived by his wife, Jo Anne and predeceased by his parents and younger brother Jack who passed away earlier. Celebrations of life will be held at several locations in the future.