More detail on this person: Lewis L. "Lew" Barger, Jr., a forty-year resident of Lakeland, went to be with his Lord and Savior at the age of 83. Lew was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee. After graduating from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga he married the love of his life, Judith Ann Morton, from Signal Mountain, Tennessee. He joined the Army, learned to fly helicopters, and spent a year in Vietnam with 3/4 Cavalry, 25 th Infantry Division. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross and three Purple Heart medals. After Vietnam Lew excelled in a succession of jobs working for Link Flight Simulation, as a farmer, manager of a hardware store, trainer for the Iranian Air Force before the Iranian revolution, and finally, working for the City of Lakeland as a training officer and later as Manager of Employee Engagement. During their marriage Lew and Judy lived in eight different states and the country of Iran. They moved to Lakeland, which they loved, in 1985 and lived there the rest of their lives. Lew was an Elder at Shepherd Road Presbyterian Church, attended Trinity Presbyterian Church, and was a founding member of Redeemer Church in Lakeland where he also served as an Elder and taught Sunday School. He belonged to several veterans' organizations including the American Legion's China Post 1, the 3/4 Cavalry Association, and the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association. He and Judy were also active in the community and involved in the Mayfaire-by-the-Lake art show for many years. Lew was preceded in death by his wife Judy, his parents Lewis and June Barger, and his sister Nancy. He is survived by his children: Lewis L. Barger, III and his wife Judy of San Antonio, Texas; Robert Stephan Barger, his wife Kate, and his daughter Anna of Hudson, Ohio. A memorial service will be held on July 5th at 11:00 a.m. at Redeemer Presbyterian Church, 1520 West Pipkin Road, Lakeland, Florida, followed by a reception. Interment will take place at Florida National Cemetery on July 7th with a family graveside service.
Burial information: Florida National Cemetery
This information was last updated 07/07/2025
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Date posted on this site: 10/13/2025
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