Calvin Lee Lewis

LEWIS, CALVIN LEE Calvin Lee Lewis, age 56, of Waco died Friday, March 14, 2003 at a Temple hospital. Cal’s life will be celebrated in a memorial service at 11am Friday, March 21 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church with the Rev. Ken Kesselus officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. Margaret Lewis will receive visitors at home on Thursday, March 20, beginning at 5:30pm. Arrangements are through Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey, 6101 Bosque Blvd. Mr. Lewis was born in Rotan, Texas on August 5, 1946 while his parents, Calvin and Jewel Lewis, were en route from New Mexico to Florida. Both parents preceded him in death. Cal came to Waco to attend Baylor University. He was an accomplished musician and enjoyed singing in the choir at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church under the direction of Dean Sternberg. He interrupted his education to serve four years in the United States Navy and achieved distinction as a “Golden Shellback”. After discharge, he completed his BBA at Baylor. He was employed with American Amicable, Pure Milk, Texas Employment Commission and Retired Senior Volunteer Program. His life-long avocation was buying and selling antiques. He owned “The Gilded Age” at 22nd and Bosque Blvd. and conducted estate sales and auctions. He leaves behind an unpublished novel, “Gaines and Losses”, that reflects his astute observations of people. Cal was committed to the promotion of historic preservation. He championed the need to preserve older neighborhoods. He spent his leisure time landscaping the grounds and rehabilitating his residence-an 1892 house in Waco’s first suburb, the Provident addition. He was a charter member and officer of the Sanger-Heights Neighborhood Association, and an active volunteer and board member of Historic Waco Foundation. He sat on the City of Waco’s Building Standards and Planning Commissions, serving as chair of the latter until October of 2002. Cal did not distinguish between the haves and the have-nots - it did not matter who one was, but what one stood for. His friends will fondly remember him for his highly individual points of view, his unpredictable opinions, his sense of fairness and justice and his unique humor. He grudgingly tolerated Margaret’s cats, but he never, ever had anything to do with Africanized Honey Bees. Cal was born with a gift of laughter and a sense that the world was mad. He will be missed by those who had the good fortune to have known him. In 1992, Cal married his soul mate, Margaret Hand Lewis, who cherishes their memories. He is also survived by a brother, J. R. Lewis and wife, Avanell, of Crockett, Texas; nephew, Calvin J. Lewis of Florida, niece, Kim Lewis of Freeport, Texas; and other extended family, particularly his dear cousin, Helen Parks, of Asheville, North Carolina. Cal’s faithful canine companion, Crusoe, adopted from the Waco Humane Society, shares the family’s loss. In lieu of flowers, Margaret requests that memorials be made to Fuzzy Friends and Waco Humane Society. Memorial guestbook at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com. WILKIRSON-HATCH-BAILEY