Don Lewis

Don Truman Lewis was born on November 9, 1943, in Malakoff, Texas, to Victor and Fay Lewis. On May 28, 2026 in Tyler, Texas, surrounded by daughter, Maggie, son, Lee, and daughter-in-law, Ellen, he slipped peacefully into the arms of God. From birth, Don was taught by his parents, both educators, a respect for education as a privilege and an honor. This reverence for education was to become the theme in his life. Don attended school in Malakoff, Texas, graduating in 1962. He then attended HCJC where his father was one of the earliest faculty members. Don excelled in all sports and was named Mr. Tiger his senior year in high school. Many who knew him best saw glimpses of Mr. Tiger in him for the next six decades of his life. Wherever he went and whatever he did, Don T. Lewis stood tall among men. Yes, Don, you were and are our Mr. Tiger.

Don received his BS at Stephen F. Austin University and Master's degree from East Texas State University. Don was a man of quiet faith, and it showed up in the way he treated people. He was a natural-born teacher and coach and spent several years working in this capacity in Malakoff, Wharton, and Terrell High Schools. In 1975, Don transitioned to administration, serving as Assistant Principal at Terrell High School. In 1980 Don was appointed principal of Cross Roads High School and later Superintendent of that district. Throughout his lengthy career, Don Lewis believed in the sanctity of the classroom, and any student under his supervision soon learned that the teachers, not the students, were in charge. Many a middle-aged man, and more than a few women, remember cleaning the cafeteria or picking up trash on the school grounds as a reminder that teachers and rules were to be respected. Don Lewis never wavered from the driving philosophy learned from Victor and Fay Lewis: education was a privilege and educators were to be honored.

Many summers, Don traveled thousands of miles exploring the country he loved. He especially loved the Oregon coast, Yellowstone, the Black Hills of South Dakota, Niagara Falls, and eating lobster on the giant rocks of Acadia National Park in Maine. Don loved studying a Rand McNally road map, locating points of historical interest, and heading his pick-up truck in that direction. He always said that he was "driving through a picture." As a student of history, Don loved exploring Mt. Vernon, Monticello, and Gettysburg. One beautiful Sunday morning, tears filled his eyes as he stood at Lincoln's tomb in Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield, Illinois. In everything he did, Don T. Lewis experienced the world with both his mind and his heart.

From his early childhood, Don's sanctuary was the Lewis family farm outside Malakoff, Texas. Here Don spent countless hours working cows, fishing in the lake, traipsing the woods, and simply being still and quiet. Through the years, Don shared this land with family and friends. A most special moment for Don was walking Maggie down the pier to be married to Blake Carriere. Don spent many hours here with Lee, hunting, fishing, and talking. His children can feel their dad's presence forever as they walk down that lake road.

Don is preceded in death by his parents, Victor and Fay Lewis; his nephew Alex Simon; and his beloved grandmother Mary Elizabeth Riddlesperger, known to all as Munner.

He is survived by his son, Lee Lewis, and daughter-in-law, Ellen, of Corsicana, TX; his daughter Maggie Carriere and son-in-law, Blake, of Leesburg, VA; grandchildren Luke Lewis and his wife Maycee, Reid Lewis, and Charlotte Carriere; great-grandchild Millie Lewis; sisters Vicki Simon and Ralinda White and her husband Wayne; Friend Karen Gillman, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and cherished friends.

Services will be held Tuesday, June 2. A graveside service will be held at 9 a.m. at Post Oak Cemetery in Malakoff, TX, followed by a memorial service starting at 10:30 a.m. at First United Methodist Church in Malakoff, TX.

In honor of Don T. Lewis and his lifelong encouragement of education, a scholarship fund is being established through the Cross Roads school district. Donations may be made directly to the district by phone or mail:

Attention Julie Koepp or Kim Mattingly, 14434 FM 59 Malakoff, TX 75148.