Dan J. Lewis, a resident of Lubbock since 1970, passed away at home on September 25, 2011, following a lengthy illness. He was 88 years old. Graveside services will be held Wednesday, September 28 at 3:30 p.m. at Lubbock City Cemetery under the direction of Sanders Funeral Home. Officiating will be the Reverend Baron Eliason of Westminster Presbyterian Church.
Known most of his life by friends, colleagues and family as Coach Lewis, Dan was born to Dan J. Sr. and Inez Nunn Lewis on September 3, 1923, in Colorado City, Texas, and moved in 1935 with family to Big Spring, Texas, where he would live for the next 35 years. He graduated from Big Spring High School, distinguishing himself on the football and golf teams. Dan joined the Navy in 1941, serving his country in the South Pacific during WWII and, along with members of the First Marine Division, Reinforced, received the Presidential Unit Citation for service on Guadalcanal.
After the war, Dan returned to Big Spring where he would later meet and marry Jean Stratton, also of Big Spring. Dan earned his degree in physical education in 1952 from Austin College in Sherman, Te, where he played on both the football and golf teams. He entered the coaching ranks in Big Spring immediately upon graduation from college and became head football coach at Runnels Junior High. His other coaching duties included track and basketball, and, for many years, he doubled as golf coach at Big Spring High School, leading that team to a district championship.
In 1970, Coach Lewis moved his family to Lubbock and was appointed head football coach at O. L. Slaton Junior High, where his team was victorious in the City Championship in the mid-1970s. While actively coaching and teaching math, he earned a Masters Degree in physical education from Texas Tech in 1974. He retired from O.L. Slaton in 1983.
Throughout his coaching career, Coach Lewis was known for his no-nonsense approach and focus on the fundamentals. His enthusiasm for the game of football and dedication to building young teams was evidenced in many successful seasons over more than three decades. During his coaching tenure in Lubbock and for a number of years following his retirement, Coach Lewis was a familiar face along the sidelines at Red Raiders games and served as a scouting coach for Raider Head Coach Spike Dykes. He also received an award of appreciation from the Red Raider Football Team. In addition to his football activities, Coach Lewis was a lifelong, avid golfer.
Known most of his life by friends, colleagues and family as Coach Lewis, Dan was born to Dan J. Sr. and Inez Nunn Lewis on September 3, 1923, in Colorado City, Texas, and moved in 1935 with family to Big Spring, Texas, where he would live for the next 35 years. He graduated from Big Spring High School, distinguishing himself on the football and golf teams. Dan joined the Navy in 1941, serving his country in the South Pacific during WWII and, along with members of the First Marine Division, Reinforced, received the Presidential Unit Citation for service on Guadalcanal.
After the war, Dan returned to Big Spring where he would later meet and marry Jean Stratton, also of Big Spring. Dan earned his degree in physical education in 1952 from Austin College in Sherman, Te, where he played on both the football and golf teams. He entered the coaching ranks in Big Spring immediately upon graduation from college and became head football coach at Runnels Junior High. His other coaching duties included track and basketball, and, for many years, he doubled as golf coach at Big Spring High School, leading that team to a district championship.
In 1970, Coach Lewis moved his family to Lubbock and was appointed head football coach at O. L. Slaton Junior High, where his team was victorious in the City Championship in the mid-1970s. While actively coaching and teaching math, he earned a Masters Degree in physical education from Texas Tech in 1974. He retired from O.L. Slaton in 1983.
Throughout his coaching career, Coach Lewis was known for his no-nonsense approach and focus on the fundamentals. His enthusiasm for the game of football and dedication to building young teams was evidenced in many successful seasons over more than three decades. During his coaching tenure in Lubbock and for a number of years following his retirement, Coach Lewis was a familiar face along the sidelines at Red Raiders games and served as a scouting coach for Raider Head Coach Spike Dykes. He also received an award of appreciation from the Red Raider Football Team. In addition to his football activities, Coach Lewis was a lifelong, avid golfer.
Dan J. Lewis, a resident of Lubbock since 1970, passed away at home on September 25, 2011, following a lengthy illness. He was 88 years old. Graveside services will be held Wednesday, September 28 at 3:30 p.m. at Lubbock City Cemetery under the direction of Sanders Funeral Home. Officiating will be the Reverend Baron Eliason of Westminster Presbyterian Church.
Known most of his life by friends, colleagues and family as Coach Lewis, Dan was born to Dan J. Sr. and Inez Nunn Lewis on September 3, 1923, in Colorado City, Texas, and moved in 1935 with family to Big Spring, Texas, where he would live for the next 35 years. He graduated from Big Spring High School, distinguishing himself on the football and golf teams. Dan joined the Navy in 1941, serving his country in the South Pacific during WWII and, along with members of the First Marine Division, Reinforced, received the Presidential Unit Citation for service on Guadalcanal.
After the war, Dan returned to Big Spring where he would later meet and marry Jean Stratton, also of Big Spring. Dan earned his degree in physical education in 1952 from Austin College in Sherman, Te, where he played on both the football and golf teams. He entered the coaching ranks in Big Spring immediately upon graduation from college and became head football coach at Runnels Junior High. His other coaching duties included track and basketball, and, for many years, he doubled as golf coach at Big Spring High School, leading that team to a district championship.
In 1970, Coach Lewis moved his family to Lubbock and was appointed head football coach at O. L. Slaton Junior High, where his team was victorious in the City Championship in the mid-1970s. While actively coaching and teaching math, he earned a Masters Degree in physical education from Texas Tech in 1974. He retired from O.L. Slaton in 1983.
Throughout his coaching career, Coach Lewis was known for his no-nonsense approach and focus on the fundamentals. His enthusiasm for the game of football and dedication to building young teams was evidenced in many successful seasons over more than three decades. During his coaching tenure in Lubbock and for a number of years following his retirement, Coach Lewis was a familiar face along the sidelines at Red Raiders games and served as a scouting coach for Raider Head Coach Spike Dykes. He also received an award of appreciation from the Red Raider Football Team. In addition to his football activities, Coach Lewis was a lifelong, avid golfer.
Known most of his life by friends, colleagues and family as Coach Lewis, Dan was born to Dan J. Sr. and Inez Nunn Lewis on September 3, 1923, in Colorado City, Texas, and moved in 1935 with family to Big Spring, Texas, where he would live for the next 35 years. He graduated from Big Spring High School, distinguishing himself on the football and golf teams. Dan joined the Navy in 1941, serving his country in the South Pacific during WWII and, along with members of the First Marine Division, Reinforced, received the Presidential Unit Citation for service on Guadalcanal.
After the war, Dan returned to Big Spring where he would later meet and marry Jean Stratton, also of Big Spring. Dan earned his degree in physical education in 1952 from Austin College in Sherman, Te, where he played on both the football and golf teams. He entered the coaching ranks in Big Spring immediately upon graduation from college and became head football coach at Runnels Junior High. His other coaching duties included track and basketball, and, for many years, he doubled as golf coach at Big Spring High School, leading that team to a district championship.
In 1970, Coach Lewis moved his family to Lubbock and was appointed head football coach at O. L. Slaton Junior High, where his team was victorious in the City Championship in the mid-1970s. While actively coaching and teaching math, he earned a Masters Degree in physical education from Texas Tech in 1974. He retired from O.L. Slaton in 1983.
Throughout his coaching career, Coach Lewis was known for his no-nonsense approach and focus on the fundamentals. His enthusiasm for the game of football and dedication to building young teams was evidenced in many successful seasons over more than three decades. During his coaching tenure in Lubbock and for a number of years following his retirement, Coach Lewis was a familiar face along the sidelines at Red Raiders games and served as a scouting coach for Raider Head Coach Spike Dykes. He also received an award of appreciation from the Red Raider Football Team. In addition to his football activities, Coach Lewis was a lifelong, avid golfer.
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