Paul Adelbert Lewis

Paul Adelbert Lewis, a lifelong Petaluma resident, passed away of natural causes on October 23rd, 2026, at the age of 93.

Born May 6th, 1933, in Petaluma, Paul was the son of John C. Lewis and Minnie C. Paula-Lewis. He attended Liberty Elementary and graduated from Petaluma High School in 1952. He attended Santa Rosa Junior College, where he earned a business certificate. He also enjoyed flying small planes and attending animal nutrition lectures at UC Davis in his early years.

Paul served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, participating in reconnaissance patrols and later serving as an aerial observer. Following his honorable discharge in March 1955, he returned to Petaluma and began a career that would become his lifelong passion: the feed business. He was proud of his military service and remained committed to honoring fellow Korean War veterans, helping establish a memorial in Petaluma’s Walnut Park. In 2022, he served as Grand Marshal of the Petaluma Veterans Day Parade.

Paul began working for Golden Eagle Milling Company in 1955 and later joined Vonsen Feed & Milling Company, where he developed extensive knowledge of animal nutrition and built relationships with dairymen and ranchers throughout Northern California. In 1966, he and his partners established Bar-Ale, Inc., a family-owned feed, hay trucking and poultry business. Paul and his wife, Marlene, eventually assumed ownership, building a lasting family enterprise. In 1994, the family acquired property in Williams, California, where a modern feed manufacturing plant was completed in 1998. The facility produces conventional and organic feeds distributed throughout the Western United States and Hawaii. Paul remained involved as a member of the board of directors and took great pride in seeing the business continue through the next generation.

On November 15th, 1958, Paul married Marlene S. Ash at the Flamingo Hotel in Santa Rosa. Their marriage spanned nearly 68 years and was the foundation of a close-knit family. He is survived by his beloved wife, Marlene; son Tracy Lewis (Jeanette); and son-in-law Don Benson, widower of their daughter, Tamara “Tami” Benson, who passed away in 2011. His grandchildren include Keith Benson (Kendra), and Marissa Benson Marquez (Mike); and three great-grandchildren, Haylei and Carree Benson and Mira Marquez. His extended family also includes grandchildren Rebecca, Rachel, Benjamin, Sharon, Bethany, and Shiloh, their spouses, and 16 great-grandchildren.

Paul was a devoted member of Two Rock Presbyterian Church. He enjoyed playing the accordion and performing with a five-piece band in his younger years. He and Marlene shared a love of water skiing, time at their Clear Lake home, cruises and travel. Paul also enjoyed raising Boer meat goats, collecting vintage cars and tractors, and spending time with his beloved fox terriers.

Paul will be remembered for his dedication to his family, his service to his country, his lifelong commitment to agriculture, and the family business he helped build for generations. His legacy lives on through the family, employees and agricultural community he served throughout his life.

Paul’s wish was to have everyone attend a Celebration of Life which will be held at the Petaluma Veterans Memorial Building on Saturday, November 28th, 2026, from 11am-2pm. A short service will be held with light refreshments.