Dr. Franklin G. Lewis, Ed.D.

October 11, 1932 – October 10, 2024

Dr. Franklin G. Lewis, beloved husband, father, grandfather and child of God peacefully joined the Church Triumphant on October 10, 2024, in Lewisville Texas.   He is preceded in death by his parents Roy and Jane Lewis, sister Frances Duggar, brother David Lewis, and his first wife, Linda Smith.

Frank was the second of three children born to Roy and Jane Lewis in Fort Worth, Texas on October 11, 1932.   Frank graduated from Mansfield High School in 1950.  He graduated magna cum laude from Texas Wesleyan University and went on to North Texas State University where he earned a Masters Degree in Counseling and a Doctorate in Education.

Frank began his teaching career at Haltom High School in Fort Worth in 1956.  It was there that he met his wife of 57 years, Elizabeth Sue Lindsey.   The two were married August 8, 1967, in Denton Texas.  Shortly thereafter Frank received an offer to join the faculty at Illinois State University in Normal Illinois and served as a Professor of Education for 29 years, retiring in 1996.  Over his 40-year career in Education Frank taught thousands of students and empowered thousands more to teach and likewise broaden the minds of generations to come.

While in Normal, Frank and Sue welcomed their son, Frank Jr. and daughter Beth into the world in 1970 and 1972.  Together they raised a family founded in faith, joy and love.   The Lewis family attended Second Presbyterian Church in Bloomington Illinois, where Frank served on the Board of Deacons.

Upon his retirement Frank and Sue returned to Texas and lived in Lewisville while Sue finished her teaching career at Marcus High School.  Together they watched with joy as their family grew, first with the addition of Frank's wife Jennifer, and Beth's husband London; and then with their five grandchildren: James Lewis, Leah Ryon, Lindsey Lewis, Sarah Ryon, and Matthew Lewis.

Frank loved to travel.  He traveled to Europe in the 1960s with Sue and then again 1981 with his children.   In retirement he and Sue traveled extensively to Europe, Greece, Alaska and Russia.  He was an accomplished musician and supporter of the arts.  He taught himself to play the piano as a teenager so that he could then learn to play the pipe organ in college.  He served as a church organist at Oakhurst Presbyterian Church in Fort Worth in the 1960s and continued to play and support the American Guild of Organists for many years.   In retirement he and Sue were avid supporters of the Fort Worth Opera and the Lewisville Lake Symphony.

As much as Frank lived to learn and to teach, his passion was his family.  His joy was his wife, his children and grandchildren his pride.  As confident as he was in his practice of life, greater still was his appreciation of the wonder and mystery of faith.  He sought to do justice the only way he knew how; to expand the minds of everyone he encountered.  He pursued kindness according to his gifts.   Generous with his time and gentle with his guidance, he carried his intelligence with a quiet dignity and calming presence.   And so, he lived his faith by walking humbly with his God; knowing that while he would only see dimly on earth, there would be a time when he would indeed, finally see face to face.   Deeply did he love and was loved.   Deeper still shall he be missed.

Following a private family service, Frank will be interred in the Columbarium at NorthPark Presbyterian Church in Dallas, Texas.   In lieu of flowers the family has asked that donations be made in Frank's name to the Alzheimer's Association (www.alz.org).