Thomas Watson Lewis, Jr.
ANDERSON- Thomas "Tom" Watson Lewis, Jr., of Braeburn Drive, husband of Nancy C. Lewis died Wednesday, October 12, 2011.
Born April 19, 1927 in Charlotte, NC, he was the son of the late Tom Watson and Nina Saye Lewis. At an early age he moved with his family to Spartanburg where he graduated from Spartanburg High School. After graduating and briefly attending Clemson A & M College, at age 17 he enlisted in the US Coast Guard (Navy) and served in WWII during the latter months of that war. He re-entered Clemson after being honorably discharged from military service and graduated with a BS in Chemistry, with honors, Class of 1950. While at Clemson, he was selected for membership in the honor fraternities: Phi Eta Sigma and Phi Kappa Phi and the professional fraternity Alpha Chi Sigma of which he served as President.
After graduation, Mr. Lewis taught chemistry at Clemson College before beginning a 22-year career in industry. During these years he held positions at Tennessee Eastman Division of Eastman Kodak, Deering Milliken Research Trust, Armstrong Cork Co. (Armstrong World Industries) and the Industrial Division of Riegel Paper Corporation (Rexham Corporation). These positions included Sales Service Chemist, Research Chemist, Plant Chief Chemist, Manager Product Development and eight years as Plant Manager of the Matthews, NC plant, Rexham Corporation.
Mr. Lewis returned to the educational field in 1973 at Tri-County Technical College, organizing and becoming the first head of the Business Technology curriculum. He served at the College for 26 years holding various academic and administrative positions. These included: the first Division Chairperson of the Business and Human Services Division, the first President of The Faculty Senate and member of three Steering Committees for reaffirmation of accreditation by The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
He became Vice President of Finance and Administrative Services in 1981 and held that position until his retirement in 1999. Upon retirement, he was elected to the Order of the Trilon by the College Board. Under his responsibilities, the college added five major structures on the campus. During that period, he was appointed and served as Interim President of the College in 1988.
During Mr. Lewis' adult life, he was active in the Episcopal Church. At various times he served as: church school teacher, church school superintendent, confirmation instructor, senior warden, licensed Lay Reader in the Dioceses of Florida and North Carolina, and Lector in the Diocese of Upper South Carolina. During the three renovation and construction projects of 2000-2004 at the historical Grace Episcopal Church in Anderson, he acted as Clerk of the Works.
Mr. Lewis is survived by his wife, Nancy Crowe Lewis of the home; daughter, Catherine Lewis of Atlanta, GA; stepson, Roger D. (Mary) Gilden of Greenville; stepdaughter, Sandra E. Gilden of Hollywood, CA and step granddaughter, Mary Payne Gilden. He was preceded in death by his son, Thomas Watson Lewis, III and 2 sisters, Hazel V. DePrycker and C. Ann Williams.
The family will receive friends Saturday from 5 until 7pm at Sullivan-King Mortuary, Northeast Chapel, 3205 Hwy 81 N.
A Memorial Service will be held at 3 PM Sunday at Grace Episcopal Church with The Rev. John B. Hardaway, IV officiating. Burial will be in Grace Episcopal Memorial Garden. There will be a reception in the Church Parlor following the interment.
In lieu of flowers; memorials may be made to Grace Episcopal Church, 711 South McDuffie St., Anderson, SC 29624.
SULLIVAN-KING MORTUARY, Northeast Chapel, www.sullivanking.com
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