Patriot Guard Riders

Honor Mission

Tola “Toby” Ethridge Lewis, Jr., Retired

USN, USNR
Elizabeth City, North Carolina – 07-26-20

BMC (SS) (Retired) Tola “Toby” Ethridge Lewis, Jr. of Elizabeth City, NC has departed for his Final Duty Station.. Serving in the USN Submarine force as a Sonar Tech, Toby entered the USN-R where he changed rates to BM and became a rescue salvage diver. Tola was the Director of Veterans Affairs until his retirement. He was a member of Corinth Baptist Church, the Fellowship Sunday School Class, and the NC Baptist Men’s Disaster Relief. Tola belonged to many organizations including the Albemarle Sound Base NC Submarine Veterans, American Legion Post # 126, American Legion Post #126 Legion Riders, and National Karate Jiu Jitsu Union. Many accolades and awards were bestowed upon Tola such as being the recipient of The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, Hanshi Tola E. Lewis 9th degree black belt Shito-Ryu-Karate-Do, was the second director of NKJU, and received the NKJU Certificate of Merit.

Corinth Baptist Church

1035 US 17 South
Elizabeth City, North Carolina 27909

Ken “Coastie” Knowles 757-284-4564

We will set the Flag Line for the arrival of Family and Friends as they come bid their farewell to a well liked and distinguished man. We will Stand down the Flag line until Military Honors, where we will reset the Flag Line. We have also been asked to Fold and Present the Flag to his wife. Maintain social distancing during briefings and flag lines, as outlined by the CDC and the governor’s guidelines. Face coverings are recommended and social distancing from non-household members is required. Just because you are comfortable touching and being near other people, that does not mean that the other person is comfortable or safe with the contact. All attempts will be made to stay at least forty feet away from the family and funeral tent. If you have exhibited any symptoms associated with this virus in the past 14 days, please reconsider your attendance. Each member is responsible for his or her own safety and health during the mission. The PGR assumes no responsibility for your well being. The Ride Captain will not provide hand sanitizer.