Michael Lewis Jr. lived a life defined by determination, honesty, and hard work- qualities he carried throughout all aspects of his life.
He was a devoted student of the broadcasting industry who earned the deep respect of colleagues across the United States. He first learned the value and power of sales while working alongside his father in the family furniture business — lessons that launched a remarkable career, beginning in local sales at WNYT-TV in Albany, NY. He rose quickly through the ranks, holding sales management roles at stations in Harrisburg, PA, Atlanta, GA, and Chicago, IL, before being recruited as Vice President of Sales for FOX6 WBRC-TV in Birmingham, AL. There, he led his sales teams to consistently exceed revenue targets, propelling the station to the highest market revenue share among the nation's top 60 television markets.
His success in Birmingham opened the door to nearly 12 years at FOX5 WTTG-TV in Washington, DC, where he set sales records before being elevated to Senior Vice President and General Manager of FOX's Charlotte, NC stations. In all, Michael Lewis Jr. contributed 19 years of sales and revenue growth to the FOX organization, known throughout for his tireless work ethic and encyclopedic command of both local and national ratings. He concluded his distinguished career as Vice President and General Manager at KTUL-TV in Tulsa, OK. Peers and colleagues across the industry — many of whom worked alongside him for decades — described him simply as the best they had ever worked with, or for. He was, by every measure, both an innovator and a leader.
Michael Lewis Jr. was a devoted father and a good friend to many. He had the gift of repairing or building just about anything, was an amazing storyteller, could make anyone laugh, and was unapologetically authentic and honest. He loved spending time with his children, cooking, traveling, deep-sea fishing, and riding his Harley. And if you knew Michael, you knew he was a Yankees fan to his core.
He is survived by his children, Joseph Michael Honesto Lewis & Anna Carolyn Lewis; Parents, Michael & Carolyn Bender Lewis; Sister, Michelle Lynn Shaw & husband Timothy; Nieces, Taylor & Marielle Shaw; Great-nieces, Alliyah Shaw & Phoenix Tullo; Uncles, Charles Bender & wife Michelle, Robert Bender & wife Ashleigh, and Andrew Pisano, and sixteen first cousins.
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Charles & Trudy Mulcahy Bender; Paternal grandparents, Ted & June Kenefick Lewis; Infant Brother, Jeffrey Lewis; Aunts, Elaine Pisano and Kathleen LaFlash; Uncles, Joseph and Donald Bender; and Cousin, Lindsay Bender.
A funeral mass will be held on Thursday, May 28, at 11:00 am, followed by the interment at 12:00 pm, both at Calvary Hill Funeral Home & Cemetery, 3235 Lombardy Lane, Dallas, TX 75220. A celebration of life will be held afterward at 3850 W Northwest Hwy #1190, Dallas, TX 75220.
