John Lewis

December 25, 1930 - October 1, 2019

John Gilbert Lewis was born 88 years ago on Christmas Day to William Lewis and Bernice Mabrey Lewis in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.  The stubborn yet personable boy would rise from his humble beginnings to become a Texas oil executive, and more importantly, spend his entire life making sure that his own family was stable, loved and well cared for.

During his teenage years, John spent most of his time hustling for money at the pool hall, where he earned spending money from those who underestimated his billiard skills. Always an outstanding athlete, John grew up on the mean streets of west Louisville with the likes of Paul Hornung, a childhood friend who would later become an NFL running back.

A stint in the Army during the Korean War gave him the opportunity to attend college at the University of Louisville, where he earned a degree in business and accounting. Then, in 1956, in the most important event of his life, he would marry Rita Burch, a young woman who lived near Churchill Downs.

From this point on, John became a model of focus and success, rising quickly in the ranks of Texaco and bringing up four kids with Rita. He was a big kid at heart, and as soon as he arrived home from work, he was engaged with his family, teaching his kids the fine art of the sky hook on the family basketball court, and feeding them fun snacks before bed while Rita made sure that dinner was an organized family event. His full-throated whistle to summon the kids for supper -- which could be heard from blocks away-- was legendary in the neighborhood. He attended countless sporting contests in which his children participated -- his kids were athletes, and there was no doubt about where that gene came from.

Eventually, John's success at Texaco would take him to Kansas City, St. Louis, then to Texaco headquarters in Houston in 1981. There, John was a leader in the human resources department of what was then one of the largest companies in the world.

John never measured success by what was happening on the career ladder. The most important mission in his life was his family, and that's what he was ultimately about. He was folksy and charismatic -- a man who could thrive in a boardroom or a neighborhood barbecue -- in a big city or in a small town -- and he effortlessly made friends everywhere he went. The most rewarding parts of his life were watching his children and grandchildren grow up, and building a marriage of 63 years that grew only stronger as time moved on.

John retired  in March of 1993. He told family and friends, "It took me 30 minutes to adjust to retirement." Rita answered, "That's how long it took you to get home and grab your golf clubs." He spent many days at the Texaco Golf Club, where he was known to be a true gentleman golfer, always happy to see his cronies play a great round.

He leaves a loving legacy that is simple yet profound, and his example will carry on in the Lewis family for generations to come.

John, who died on Oct. 1, 2019, after a brief illness, is survived by his wife, Rita, of Spring; two sons, John of Spring and David of San Francisco; a daughter, Sarah Reed, of Parker City, Indiana; three grandchildren, Andrew, Matthew and Rachel, all of Texas; one great-grandson, Archie, of Texas; and two sons-in-law, Rick Reed of Parker City and David Wang of San Francisco. John was preceded in death by a daughter, Mary Joanna Lewis.

A vigil will be Sunday, Oct. 7, at Klein Funeral Home from 4 to 6 p.m., 16131 Champion Forest Drive, in Spring. The funeral will also be at Klein Funeral Home, at 2 p.m. Monday, Oct. 8. Contributions in his memory can be made to St. Jude's Hospital.