George Ray Lewis' Obituary
George Ray Lewis passed away on July 26, 2024, at the age of 87 in Dallas, Texas following a courageous battle with Parkinson’s. He was born in San Francisco, California on May 7, 1937, to Major General Millard Lewis and Dorothy Ray Lewis. He was the second of three children.
George’s interests included skiing, tennis, puzzles, reading, and a love of travel. He actively participated in politics on a state and national level. All those who knew George loved his kindness, generosity, wealth of knowledge, and his smile.
George attended Mercersburg Academy preparatory school in Mercersburg, PA. He received a bachelor’s degree in political science from Princeton and an MBA from Harvard. He served as a contract negotiator for the U.S. Air Force where he developed his initial project management skills for a state-of-the-art anti-satellite weapons program.
After military service, he was recruited by a land developer which launched his career in home building. He founded George Lewis Custom Homes in 1973 and eventually became a leader in the Dallas building industry, specializing in custom homes. George served as president of the Dallas Builders Association in 2003, president of the Texas Association of Builders in 2008 and was inducted into the Texas Housing Hall of Honor in 2018. He was the 2004 recipient of the Hugh Prather Award, the highest honor bestowed by the DBA. He was a Life Director of the TAB and the National Association of Home Builders. He received numerous awards for exemplary service and leadership contributions to the home building industry, including the TAB Ted Schlossman Lifetime Achievement Award. George was a consummate professional, lifelong learner and mentor of future generations setting the standard as a home builder.
He was an active member of the Preston Center Rotary Club. He mentored disadvantaged youth in the “I Have a Dream” Program, participated in community development with Voice of Hope and the West Dallas Ministry, and was a Paul Harris Fellow designee with Rotary International.
George is survived by his wife Jeanne Lewis, daughter Dorothy Lewis, sister Susie (Robert) Wilbanks, Sherrie (John) Pierce, Tommy (Tonya) Baker, Jeanne (Gordon) VanAmburgh, Mark (Erica) Baker plus numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. He is preceded in death by his first wife Carolyn Lewis, son James Lewis, and brother Millard Lewis Jr.
His family and friends will miss his dependability, fortitude, and integrity. He was a good shepherd. The family wishes a special thank you to his caregivers over the past year that cared for him with love and dignity.
A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, August 20th at 11:00 AM at Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church (8011 Douglas Ave, Dallas, TX 75225). In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in George’s name to the James M. Lewis Memorial Endowed Fund at www.SMU.edu/LewisMemorial or the charity of your choice.
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