BOB G. LEWIS

BOB G. LEWIS passed away peacefully on Tuesday, the 10th of November 2009, after an extended illness.A third generation native Houstonian, he was born on the 26th of September 1923 to Geo. H. Lewis and Norma S. Lewis. Bob was the fourth and last surviving son of the founders of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, a prestigious firm with a distinguished history of providing funeral and cremation services for families of this community since 1936.After graduating from San Jacinto High School and with World War II raging, Bob entered the war and served in the Army Air Corp. He was sent to the Boeing factory in Seattle, Washington to learn the B-17. He was made flight engineer and was sent to England, where he completed 28 combat missions with the 305th bombardment group, 8th Air Force. After 15 of those missions, Bob's pilot, the radio operator, and Bob were made the lead crewmen. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, two Gold Stars for major battles, and the Presidential Unit Citation.After being discharged in 1945 and then receiving his funeral directors license, he joined his parents and his three brothers, Geo. Jr., Gus and Norman in the business. Shortly afterwards, in 1946, he met and married the former Dolores (Do) Collins of Richmond, Texas. The couple wed on the 3rd of September 1946.Bob was a longtime member of the Lakeside Country Club, where he and Do enjoyed shooting skeet and trap. He was an excellent shot, an avid hunter and deep sea fisherman. Bob was a member of St. Martin's Episcopal Church and also a 32nd Degree Mason-Scottish Rite. He was also a fine orchid grower, having learned the art from his father.He is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Dolores (Do) Collins Lewis; one daughter, Carol Lewis Blackwell and husband, Thomas D. Blackwell III; and a step granddaughter, Kari Blackwell Landrieu and husband Chris.Bob was not only a perfect gentleman; he was a kind and gentle man. He was the personification of 1 Corinthians, chapter 13, verses 4-7.The family desires to express their sincere gratitude to the staff members of Colonial Oaks West chase, A-Med Hospice, and Sundance Care Specialists for the kind and loving care they so generously provided for Bob.Friends are cordially invited to gather with the family and share remembrances during a reception to be held at half-past ten o'clock Friday morning, the 13th of November, at Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.Prior to the reception, the family will have gathered for a private interment service at Memorial Oaks Cemetery in Houston, where the Rev. Stuart A. Bates will officiate.For those desiring, contributions in memory of Bob Lewis may be directed A-Med Hospice, 3535 Briar park Dr., Houston, TX, 77042. -->