Gerald Ray Lewis (Jerry) of Spring, TX passed away on Wednesday, April 9, 2015 at the age of 77. Jerry was born on August 17, 1937 in Quakertown, PA to Laura and Woodrow Lewis. After graduating from Quakertown Community High School he enlisted in the US Army and served in the 82nd Airborne Division. He was proud of his service and enjoyed talking about his experience, especially the jumps. After an honorable discharge in 1959, he attended Bryant College in Providence, RI. He was a member of Chi Gamma Iota Fraternity and received the “Golden Key” Award for scholastic achievement. He graduated in 1962 with a bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting and Finance. Jerry married his college sweetheart, Mary Anita Viegelmann, on May 4, 1963. He started his career in finance as an internal auditor with US Rubber Company. He continued his education and became a Certified Public Accountant in 1981. He joined the Rice University family in 1987 as Director of Internal Audit before moving to the Assistant Controller position. He transferred to the athletic department in 2002 and was promoted to Associate Athletic Director for Finance and remained in this position until he retired in September 2011. He continued his support of Rice by volunteering as the Treasurer for the “R” Association. Jerry loved working at Rice University because of the people and his appreciation for education. He loved to share his knowledge of history and geography with his children and grandchildren. Jerry also had a passion for cars and always had stories about his black 1957 corvette. He was an avid fan of the Rice Owls, Houston Rockets, Oilers and Texans. He enjoyed reading about and visiting historical World War II sites in Hawaii, England, France and Germany. Jerry is survived by his wife, Mary; his sons, Gerald Jr., Andrew and William; his daughters, Suellen and Jennifer; and grandchildren, Julia, Gillian, Robert, Amy, Ashley, Brody and Jeremy.
Visitation and funeral services will be held for friends and family at Metcalf Funeral Home in Conroe, TX. Visitation will be on Monday, April 13 between the hours of 5 pm and 8 pm. Services will be held on Tuesday, April 14 at 10 am followed by a reception. The family is grateful for the condolences and requests that in lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Rice University Athletics Owl Club in memory of Jerry Lewis. Donations can be made at: https://www.giving.rice.edu\owlclub\. or via check to Rice University Athletics, MS-548, P.O. Box 1892, Houston, TX 77251-1892.
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