John Milton Lewis M.D.

SAN ANGELO John Milton Lewis, M.D., went to meet his maker on Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2010. Born in New Orleans, La., on April 27, 1931, Dr. Lewis was raised in Beaumont, Texas, by his hospital administrator mother, Kathleen Lewis Yellott. John gravitated toward medicine under her tutelage and that of Dr. Phillip McNeemer. Later, he graduated with honors from the University of Texas at Austin in 1951 and entered Baylor Medical School where he earned his M.D. in medicine as well as election to the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society. His internship at the University of Alabama at Birmingham followed, where John met his lifelong best friend, Dr. Sheridan Shirley - with whom he later shared many adventures, hunting across the continent. Here also, John met and married Donna Palmore, a student of Baylor University in Waco, on Sept. 1, 1956. Returning to the Houston Medical Center, Dr. Lewis completed residency in internal medicine and his fellowship in cardiovascular disease. Called to service in 1958, he worked as a physician at Bethesda Naval Hospital for two years. In 1961, Dr. Lewis set up private practice as an attending cardiologist at Methodist Hospital in Houston, and in 1970, he became a clinical professor at Baylor Medical School as well. Dr. Lewis became president of the American Heart Association in 1970, and the Harris County Medical Society elected him to its executive board in 1978-1980 as chairman of the board of ethics. Recognized for his leadership skills, John M. Lewis received gubernatorial appointment to the Texas Board of Medical Examiners in 1991 and served until 1997, with several latter years as its president. Following the invention of angioplasty by Dr. Gruentzig in 1977, Dr. Lewis arrived in Switzerland to learn the procedures and soon developed a reputation for expertise and experience in interventional cardiology. In 1988 he presented his findings at the European Society of Cardiology in Vienna, followed by research presentations in Turkey, Chile and Egypt. Of his numerous publications, over half dealt with interventional cardiology and new approaches to it. After decades of service to Methodist Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine, Dr. Lewis retired in 2000 to his ranch in San Angelo. A lifelong athlete, John ran marathons and participated in Iron Man competitions. When his age prohibited running, he took up bicycling and Senior Olympics. Yet, big game hunting proved his favorite hobby, and he traveled often, particularly to Africa, where he acquired numerous trophies. Beyond all of these activities, John enjoyed ranching with his children and hunting with brother Jim, son John, son-in-law Tom and friend Sheridan, and in later years could often be seen riding his fence lines, a lone silhouette against the vivid West Texas dawn. He is survived by his brother, James Lewis and wife Joann of Lumberton, Texas, and his three children and their spouses, Pam Thornton and husband Tom of San Angelo, John Lewis Jr. and wife Barbara of Castle Rock, Colo., and Linda Sunde and husband Doug of Carmel, Calif.; as well as his grandchildren, Tiana and Eric Thornton, Daniel, Matthew and Melissa Lewis and Sam and Joe Sunde. Dr. Lewis, or "Doc," as he was affectionately called by his friends and family, will be missed for his humor and personality. He gained many friends in the San Angelo and Knickerbocker area and became a member of the Business Men's Bible Class after relocating to his ranch. Doc will always be remembered for being instrumental in helping the Business Men's Bible Class build a 40' Cross on Willeke Hill overlooking southwest San Angelo. Service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 16, 2010, in Johnson's Funeral Home chapel. Graveside service will follow in Knickerbocker Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Daniel Lewis, Mathew Lewis, Eric Thornton, Shon Riley, Justin Roark and Mathew Armstrong. Leading the service will be Dr. Darrell Smith and the Rev. John Lewis Jr. The family would like to express special thanks to the Haven in the Texas Hill Country and Glynis Mallia and to Doc's caregivers Francisca Salizar, Michelle Vasquez, Polly Catlin and especially Beverly Snook, as well as Hospice of Kerrville for their comfort and love during Doc's last days. Go in peace, "Doc."