SALT LAKE CITY Joseph M. Lewis, who at the age of 22 began managing the bus company founded by his father 94 years ago and later successfully transitioned the business from a line-haul to an early charter operation, died last month.

Mr. Lewis, who was 84, died about two weeks after suffering a severe heart attack.

In 1971, Mr. Lewis joined with a small group of coach operators from across the U.S. to form the United Bus Owners of America, which became the United Motorcoach Association in 1996.

"Being from a family bus company, Joe saw the need for UBOA to represent the small and family-owned companies because at the time the American Bus Association, then known as NAMBO, was dominated by big companies Greyhound and Trailways," said Wayne J. Smith. "So, he spent his time helping us form the organization," added Smith, who led the founding of UBOA/UMA and was its first executive director.

At the time of his death, Mr. Lewis was one of six living honorary directors of UMA.

Mr. Lewis father, Orson Lewis, founded Bingham Stage Lines in 1914 to transport miners to and from a copper mine. As the company grew, Orson Lewis enticed his brothers into the business, which was renamed Lewis Bros. Stages.

Joseph Lewis was born and reared in Salt Lake City and attended the University of Utah. His schooling was interrupted, however, by World War II. During the war, Mr. Lewis spent three years as an Army combat engineer in Europe, serving in Gen. George S. Pattons famed Third Army.

After the war, he took over operation of Lewis Bros. Stages. One of his first challenges was to replace declining scheduled-service revenue with a pioneering charter coach operation.

In 1946, he met Anne Marie Wilson, whom he married in early 1948. She died just over a year ago.

According to his family, Mr. Lewis lived life with an exclamation point. He was devoted and dedicated to his wife and family, his business, and his friends. His keen sense of humor, hearty laugh and unshakable integrity were hallmarks of his character.

During the 35+ years he managed Lewis Bros. Stages, the company grew into an integral and respected part of the Utah business community.

Mr. Lewis experienced his first heart attack in 1983, prompting his retirement from active company management. However, he did not retire from life. He was a committed golfer, with membership in two clubs; spent time at a 100-year-old family cabin, and for the last 10 years of her life provided home care for his wife, who eventually declined into Alzheimers/dementia.

He is survived by four children; son Steve, who heads Lewis Stages today; three daughters and two sisters.