Gladys Jewel (Judy) Lewis was born July 2, 1923 in Llano, Texas to parents Joseph R & Edna Kasper Smith. Judy grew up in Llano and on June 24, 1943 she married James Robert L. Lewis, a pilot in the United States Air Force, at the Austin Avenue Methodist Church in San Antonio, TX.
Lt Col Robert Lewis served his country during WWII. During his first flight, his plane was shot down over Germany. He and his crewmates were taken captive, being held in Stalag 1 POW camp until the end of the war. During that time Judy (as she is known to her friends) gave birth to their first daughter, Jan.
Judy enjoyed the military life and supported her husband throughout his military career. She and their three children, Janet, James Jr, and Jeanie, traveled overseas duties in Bermuda, Japan, Alaska, Hawaii and five states within the inland borders of the United States. Judy’s inner strength and tremendous courage were a blessing to her husband and her children alike.
Military retirement brought Judy and Robert south of San Antonio to a place they called “Squirrel Valley” (otherwise known as Atascosa). Outside of tending their 6 acres, they built and stocked a chicken coop, complete with a rooster, and they also pursued the games of golf and Bridge. Excelling at any endeavor, Judy and Jim won many golf and bridge tournaments throughout the San Antonio area and beyond. After James passed away in 1995, Judy went on to become a Life Master in Bridge, continuing to build her expertise to win many more “master points” through the ACBL.
Judy is survived by her three children, Janet Ann Gonzales of Las Vegas, Nevada; James Robert Lewis, Jr of Garland, Texas and Carol Jean Neal of Moore, Oklahoma, seven grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and 16 great-great-grandchildren.
