Published 12:34 pm Monday, February 15, 2016
Kenneth W. “Ken” Lewis
Kenneth Wayne Lewis, 67, of Beaumont, Texas, passed away on February 11, 2016, surrounded by loved ones in his home, after an eight month battle with metastatic bone sarcoma. Known to many as “Ken” or “Kenny,” he was born in Orange, Texas, on September 28, 1948, to Henry and Violet Lewis. Ken and Kathleen (Cole) Lewis married on December 28, 1980, and shared the next thirty-five years together with their large, blended family.
Ken is a graduate of the Little Cypress High School class of 1967 and a graduate of Lamar University. He received his Masters Degree from Case Western Reserve University and his Juris Doctorate from University of Texas Law School. Ken was admired and respected as an ethical, courageous, and passionate lawyer who sought justice for all of his clients. At the time of his death, Ken was the President of the Jefferson County Bar Association and served on the Board of Directors of the Michelle F. Mehaffy Inn of Court. Ken was an enthusiastic volunteer for the JCBA’s pro bono projects and a former President of the Jefferson County Young Lawyers Association.
Ken will be remembered by those who knew him as a compassionate father, a loyal husband, and a faithful Christian who answered a calling to serve his church and community in every way imaginable. He was an active member of Trinity United Methodist Church, where he served as Chair of the Board of Trustees, Chair of the Evangelism Committee, and in numerous other leadership roles.
Ken loved sports and was an avid Houston Astros and Houston Texans fan. He enjoyed many different activities, including traveling, running, reading, coaching his children’s little league teams to victory, spending time with his family, and fishing, especially with his beloved brother, Eddie.
Ken is survived by his loving wife of thirty-five years, Kathleen (Cole) Lewis; his sons, Joshua Houston Lewis and wife Mara Anne (Bacon) Lewis of Green Mountain Falls, Colorado, and Austin Abraham Lewis of Georgetown, Texas; his daughters, Kara Rebekah (Lewis) Roberts and husband Willie Jack Roberts of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Valerie Sarah Lewis and significant other and honorary family member Zachary Clayton DeLuna of Beaumont, Texas; his stepson, John Patrick McMahon of Magnolia, Texas; his grandchildren, Tyler Jack Roberts, Arianna Harmony Lewis, Corinne Alleen McMahon, and Amethyst Hope Lewis; his brother, Eddie Lewis and wife Frances Patrice Toner Lewis of Orange, Texas; and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family members.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Henry Hunter Lewis and Violet Mae (Johnson) Lewis.
A gathering of Mr. Lewis’s family and friends will be from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Thursday, February 18, 2016, in Vivion Hall at Trinity United Methodist Church, 3430 Harrison Avenue, Beaumont. His memorial service will be 10:00 a.m., Friday, February 19, 2016, at Trinity United Methodist Church, Beaumont, under the direction of Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Kenneth W. Lewis, to the Jefferson County Bar Association Foundation, 1085 Pearl Street, Ste. 202, Beaumont, Texas, 77701, which will be used to help fund pro bono causes that were close to Ken’s heart.