Michael Thomas Lewellen, beloved father, husband, grandfather, uncle and friend, was called home by his Heavenly Father on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014. He was 69. He was a complicated, beautifully human individual. This is the man who taught us by example that everyone deserves to be loved and treated with respect, especially those who are shunned by society. Michael is preceded in death by his son, Peter, his parents, Joe and Lorraine, his sister, Patty, and his niece, Christine. We are comforted to know that he is enjoying a wonderful reunion with them now. He is survived by the love of his life and mother of his children, Jane Newhard Lewellen of Tooele, Utah, his daughter, Tanya (Michael Ray), of Tooele, Utah, his son, Matthew (Jennifer), of Arlington Heights, Illinois, and his son, Phillip (Elizabeth), of Stuttgart, Germany, as well as seven grandchildren, 12 nieces and nephews, and many grand nieces and nephews. Michael was born on October 16, 1945 in Chicago, Illinois, to Joseph Thomas Lewellen and Elva Lorraine Reibeling. He studied at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Indiana State University and Governor’s State University in Illinois. He was incredibly intelligent and earned a bachelor’s degree in geography, a master’s degree in urban planning and a master’s degree in education. He loved urban planning, helping to provide housing for those less fortunate and working with old homes. He also loved science and delighted in blowing things up, whether it was beeswax in the kitchen or jack-o-lanterns in his chemistry classes. He served honorably in the United States Army as a linguist and traffic analyst in Taiwan during the Vietnam Conflict, and veterans’ issues remained close to his heart his entire life. He carried beautiful veteran’s memorial coins in his pocket, and quietly slipped them to veterans living on the streets until his last days. Michael was a man of quiet complexity and deep compassion. He was known to quietly take food to the hungry, toys to the needy, bring people home who needed a place to stay, coach teams for his children even though sports were not his strength and be there for his children and grandchildren’s many events. He blessed our lives and the lives of many. We were not ready to say goodbye. We look forward to seeing him again when our mortal probation is completed. Rest well, Pops, in the loving arms of the Master. Hug Peter for us. Graveside services were held on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2014 at Utah Veterans Memorial Park, Bluffdale, Utah. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Veteran Homelessness Initiative through the Housing Authority of Salt Lake County.