Lewis Wexler Obituary

Lewis Pope Wexler, Sr.

November 7, 1936 -

January 16, 2026

JOHNSON CITY - Lewis Pope Wexler, Sr., 89, Johnson City, Tennessee passed away on Friday, January 16, 2026, at his home after a brief illness.

He was born on November 7, 1936, in Johnson City to the late Daniel Benjamin and Marie Eloise Pope Wexler.

Lewis grew up in Johnson City and participated both as a Cub Scout and a Boy Scout. He earned his Eagle Scout and God & Country Awards in 1949 as a member of Troop 36.

He was a graduate of the Culver Military Academy and Washington and Lee University. In 1965, he completed the Program for Management Development at Harvard Business School.

Mr. Wexler proudly served in the United States Army, beginning active service in 1958, later continuing service in the Army Reserves for more than nine years, ultimately retiring with the rank of Captain.

Following his military service, he began his career with the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company in Memphis in 1959. By 1962, he returned to the Tri-Cities to work in the family business Free Service Tire Company. In 1971 he was promoted to President and Chief Executive Officer of the company and was named Chairman of the board in 1981.

Throughout his professional life, Mr. Wexler was deeply involved in his industry, serving as president of the Tennessee/Kentucky Tire Dealers and Retreaders Association and as Off-the-Road Group Chairman for the National Tire Dealers and Retreaders Association. His vocation and lifelong work were rooted in the automobile tire industry.

His service to the community was extensive. He served on the boards of Johnson City Medical Center, First Peoples Bank, Hamilton Bank, and SunTrust Bank. In 1997, he was inducted into the Johnson City-Jonesborough-Washington County Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame. He was past president of the Sequoyah Council of the Boy Scouts of America, and recipient of both the James E. West Fellowship and the Silver Beaver Award. He also contributed his time to the ETSU Roan Scholars Leadership Program Regional Selection Committee, the ETSU Foundation Board, the Hands On Museum, and King Commons Park.

He was the longest-tenured member of Munsey Memorial United Methodist Church, where he actively participated in the Virgil Anderson Sunday School Class and served in multiple leadership roles.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Wexler was preceded in death by his wife of 38 years, Martha Patton Wexler; brother, Dan Wexler, Jr. and sister, Joanne Wexler Rawls.

Survivors include: his wife of 25 years, Lynda Lipscomb Wexler; four children: Lewis Wexler, Jr. and his wife, Nora Jane; Susan Wexler Ellis; Harrison Wexler and his wife, Felicia; and Lillian Wexler Humphreys and her husband, Fraser; grandchildren: Lewis P. "Luke" Wexler III, Savannah Wexler Kirk, Harrison Hayes Wexler, Jr., John Rutledge Smith Wexler, and Bowen Raible Wexler; Fraser Humphreys IV, and Hayly Humphreys Schmidt; and Lillian Martha and Samuel Richard Ellis; two great-grandchildren; nieces, Eloise P. Wexler, II and Lisa Wexler Birch; and nephew, Dan Rawls.

The family of Lewis Wexler will receive friends from 4:00 pm until 6:00 pm Thursday, January 22, 2026, in the sanctuary of Munsey Memorial United Methodist Church. The funeral service will follow at 6:00 pm with Rev. Michael Lester and Rev. Chris Brown officiating. Family and friends will gather at Monte Vista Memorial Park on Friday, January 23, 2026 for the 12:00 PM committal service.

Memorials may be made to Munsey Memorial United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 1336, Johnson City, TN 37605,www.munsey.org/give; Sequoyah Council: Boy Scouts of America, 129 Boone Ridge Dr. P.O. Box 3010 Johnson City, TN 37602 423-952-6961, sequoyahcouncil.org/give/, or Jonesborough Repertory Theater, P.O. Box 585 Jonesborough, TN 37659, www.jonesboroughtheatre.com/donation.

The family is grateful for the caring service of Amedisys Hospice and The Village Caregiving.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the Wexler family via www.morrisbaker.com.

Morris-Baker Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 2001 E. Oakland Ave., Johnson City, is serving the Wexler family. (423) 282-1521.