Karsten Conley Lewis Obituary (1936

Here is the story of a great storyteller Karsten 'Cork' Conley Lewis, M.D. (Age 82) passed away March 14, 2018 in Yakima, WA. He was born February 11, 1936 in Muskogee, OK and grew up in Hood River, OR. He was a top scholar athlete at Hood River High School graduating a year early to attend the University of Washington. He studied medicine at the University of Washington and played offensive end as a walk on freshman for the Huskies football team. Cork led the team as co-captain in many impressive plays and tied 2nd for the longest pass play in UW history, only being surpassed just recently. His work ethic on and off the field earned him the Flaherty Award for the Most Inspirational Player as well as the 101 Club Scholarship Award as the Top Scholar-Athlete. He was a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity and played many pranks throughout his time there. After graduation, he practiced medicine for 3 years while serving our country as a Captain in the US Army at Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu, HI. Cork moved to the Yakima Valley and served our community for over 34 years as a doctor specializing in Internal Medicine. He opened his practice and later merged it into Internal Medicine Associates of Yakima. He was on the medical staff of Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital and St. Elizabeth Hospital where he was Chief of Staff. Coming from humble beginnings, he worked hard to make a great life for himself, his family and others. Cork went above and beyond for all of his patients and performed free physicals for athletes at the local high schools. His friends and patients say he was 'larger than life'. He had a keen sense of humor and held fond memories from special things his patients had said and done such as 'Dr. Lewis: What medications are you taking / Patient: (spelling out loud) C-A-P-S-U-L-E'. He married Judy Sugden in 1975 and they made their home together in West Valley. They were members of the Yakima Country Club and enjoyed spending time there together. His family was most important to him and they enjoyed golfing, skiing, watching sports and floating the river together. One of his favorite sayings to his family was, 'I love you more than you'll ever know.' Cork is survived by his wife of over 42 years, Judy Lewis of Yakima, WA; his son, David (Tracy) Lewis of Wenatchee, WA; grandsons, Josh (Jamie) Trueman of Post Falls, ID and Konnor and Kameron Lewis of Wenatchee; great-grandchildren, Riley and Mason Trueman of Post Falls; sister-in-law, Paula Redd of Yakima; brothers-in-law, Jim (Jessie) Sugden of Tonopah, AZ and Ron (Deb) Sugden of Sun City, AZ, as well as numerous special nieces, nephews and their families. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Sally Trueman-Lewis; grandson, Kasey Trueman; sister and brothers, Barbara Tainer, Phil Lewis and Roger (Jill) Lewis; brother-in-law, Les Redd and his parents, Virgil and Louise Lewis. Later this Spring there will be a celebration honoring Cork when more of his life stories will be shared. The details will be published closer to that date. Cork supported The First Tee of Yakima and would be grateful for memorial contributions sent to them, in care of Brookside Funeral Home (PO Box 1267, Moxee, WA 98936), who is caring for the family.