THE HOME BUILDER August 2024 Celebration of Life set for George Lewis, Dallas Builders Association’s 60th presi dent Page Three
A Celebration of Life service will be held Aug. 20 for the Dallas Builders Association’s 60th president, George Lewis, who passed away July 25. He was 87. The Association this spring voted unanimously to bestow Life Member- ship upon him, a recognition that has been given only a few times in its 80-year history. Mr. Lewis served as president of the Dallas BA in 2003, and president of the Texas Association of Builders in 2006. In 2013 he was honored by TAB with its Ted Schloss- man Lifetime Achievement Award and was inducted into the state Housing Hall of Honor in 2018. George Lewis Custom Homes Inc. was an iconic builder in the Park Cities, constructing spectacular homes for some of the most well-known peo- ple in Dallas, earning Lewis numerous accolades and repeat clients. He had a reputation for being honest, upfront, accessible and customer friendly. He had been a member of the Association for more than 50 years.
With a bachelor’s degree in diplomatic history from Princeton and an MBA from Harvard School of Business, Lewis was lauded for his wisdom and organizational skills. While in the U.S. Air Force, he served as a contract negotiator for the earliest Star Wars studies and a state-of-the art anti-satellite weapons program. After military service, Lewis gained additional project management experience at TRW Space Technology Laboratories and Recognition Equip- ment in Dallas. It wasn’t until 1970, when he was recruited by a land devel- oper, that he got into home building. Later, he pioneered the concept of the “tear down to rebuild” on the owner’s lot in the Park Cities. He led the state and local builders associations through times of immense change, helping institute key policies from financial management to building standards and government relations. Lewis was a legend in the po- litical arena, investing immensely in housing-first candidates over the years.
President George W. Bush described George as a “dynamic and talented individual who strives for excellence in his endeavors and reflects the true character of America.” Throughout his life, he worked with youth sports, mentored disad- vantaged youth and participated in community development with Voice of Hope, the “I Have A Dream” pro- gram and the West Dallas Ministry. His generosity, leadership and political involvement earned him the Hugh Prather Award, the highest honor bestowed by the Dallas BA, in 2004. Lewis was a past president of the Preston Center Rotary Club and the Princeton Club. He served on the board of directors of the Better Busi- ness Bureau and was a Paul Harris Fel- low designee of Rotary International. Survivors include his wife Jeanne Lewis and daughter Dorothy Lewis. He is preceded in death by his first wife Carolyn Lewis, son James Lewis and brother Millard Lewis Jr.
George Ray Lewis 1937 - 2024
The memorial service will be held Tuesday, Aug. 20, at 11 a.m. at Saint Michael and All Angels Epis- copal Church, 8011 Douglas Ave. in Dallas. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in George’s name to the James M. Lewis Memorial Endowed Fund at www.SMU.edu/LewisMemo- rial or the charity of your choice.
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