Lewis Pettinger Fern

Lewis Pettinger Fern, age 95, died Tuesday, August 6, 2013. Lewis was a veteran of WWII serving with the 82nd Airborne Division. He is survived by his loving wife of 72 years, Marion Davis Fern; sons and daughters-in-law, Dwight and Gloria Fern and David and Becky Fern; brother, Jack Fern; eleven grandchildren and six great grandchildren. The funeral service will be held at Clairmont Presbyterian Church at 3:00 PM, August 11, 2013 with Rev. Owen Stepp officiating. Entombment will be in the Sunrise Chapel at Arlington Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be sent to the English Language Institute for China, PO Box 3000, Fort Collins, CO 80522-2113. Mark contributions for Scott and Faith Williams code W446. The family will receive friends from 4 to 6 PM Saturday at A. S. Turner and Sons Funeral Home and Crematory. Lew Fern is a native New Yorker and worked as an underwriter for Liberty Mutual Insurance Co. in Rockefeller Center when he was transferred to Atlanta, GA in 1953. At that time he was living in Westbury, Long Island with Marion and their three children following his service in the military. He was one of the "lucky" drafters whose number was chosen for the draft in April, 1941. He rose to the rank of Captain in his five-year tour of duty; he experienced combat in North Africa, Sicily, and Italy as a Paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division. Once transferred, Lew joined Clairmont in 1953 with his lovely wife Marion. Having lived in Decatur for a few months, they visited Clairmont Church and intended to visit other churches in the area, but felt a part of Clairmont after the first service. On Pastor Max Milligan's first home visit he expressed a need for youth leaders and he asked Lew and Marion if they would lead the Youth Group and they said yes. This turned out to be a blessing for them as they became involved with the staff and Charter Members of Clairmont Church and were very active with the young people as well. Besides co-leaders with Marion, Lew was led to develop various sports activities, and as a result, he ended up coaching five basketball teams for the Youth of the church and the community. He was founder of the Little League Program in DeKalb County and also worked with Lee Piggott from the church in negotiations in locating the Tennis Center in DeKalb County and takes personal pride having been a caddy for Babe Ruth on numerous occasions. Lew was also co-founder of Men's Prayer Group at Clairmont Church and a frequent Sunday school teacher. Other activities that Lew was involved includes: Member of the Hunger and Homeless Task Force Committees and served on the Senior Adult Ministry of the Greater Atlanta Presbytery Team for 18 years. Lew Fern has been an Elder in the Presbyterian Church for many years. Lew and Marion have been married for 72 years and have three children: a surgeon, a nurse and a Baptist missionary to the Philippines, eleven grandchildren and one great-grandchild. For the past 15 years, Lew has been active in the WWII 82nd Airborne Association and has planned and developed the "Saving the World" Program, speaking to high schools and other groups sharing the history of WWII and various veterans' experiences. We are very grateful for his service to Clairmont Presbyterian Church, the Greater Atlanta Presbytery, and numerous community functions. The life, witness, and spirit that Lew Fern has exemplified, and the personal love that he has shown to numerous people, living out his faith every day illustrates his intimate walk with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Today, October 3, 2007, we, the Officers, staff, members, family and friends of Clairmont Presbyterian Church do remember, honor and acknowledge his life with great thanksgiving.


Funeral Home:
A.S. Turner
2773 N. Decatur Road
Decatur, GA
30033