Arkansas music legend, James Robert "Smilin' Bob" Lewis, who resided in Van Buren, Arkansas, died Friday, July 19, 2019, in his home.  He was born on August 21, 1951, in Paris, Arkansas, to the late Everett James Lewis and Leona Young Lewis Ebarb.  He was 67 years old. He was preceded in death also by Raymond and Reba Mantooth, whom he considered was his father and mother; and a sister, Carol Ann Mantooth.

He grew up steeped in the heritage music of our area. He was a gifted and accomplished multi-instrumentalist who started on guitar before he could walk, quickly learned to play violin, banjo, mandolin, bass, washboard, sousaphone, drums, spoons - anything he touched. He loved blues and heritage music and became a slide guitar player of renown, playing in many bands including River Mountain Band, Bluesmith, J.R. & The Mighty Rhythm Kings, The Crumbs, Ben Miller Band, and Tyrannosaurus Chicken. He played the prestigious King Biscuit Blues festival in Helena, Arkansas, as T.Chicken for more than a decade. Later in his career sharing the stage with Grammy winner Buddy Guy, and touring Europe beside ZZ Top. He was known for his kindness, his forgiving and loving heart, and his constant smile. He was a protector and a warrior, held a black belt in karate, and served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War for four years, bravely going behind enemy lines. He fought for his country, his fellow man and his art. He lived for every note and generously taught his craft to others. For his many fans around the world, for his many friends, and for his fellow musicians, his death creates a collective sense of loss and a feeling that an era has passed. His protege and the countless ones he inspired, mentored, and encouraged will preserve his enormous legacy.

Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 24, 2019, at Brotherton Funeral Home Chapel in Charleston.  Burial will follow at the Garden of Memories Cemetery in Charleston, under the direction of Brotherton Brothers Funeral Home and Flower Shop in Charleston.

He is survived by his son, Jimmy Lewis of Bentonville; five daughters, Caroline Vanhook and husband Mark of Rogers; Jennifer Willoughby, Amy Douglas and Rachel Ammons, all of Van Buren, and Tiffany Burnett and husband Johnathan of Bella Vista; three sisters, Marilyn Odom and husband Dennis of Lavaca, Janice Ullrich of Tulsa and Jeanette Crowell of Bluejacket, Oklahoma; six grandchildren, Beau, Briley, Myla, Graydon, Lily and Addy.

Pallbearers will be Jeff Kearney, Jeff Scholtes, Benjamin Ammons, Johnathan Burnett, Bill Page and Kaden Martindale.  Honorary pallbearers will be Bill Kearney and Klaus Ammons.

The family will visit with friends from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Tuesday evening at the funeral home.

To view the video tribute, please visit http://videos.lifetributes.com/1013512

To pay an online tribute, please visit www.brothertonbrothersfuneralhomes.com .