Charles Lewis

Dr. Charles Clinton Lewis, a descendant of early settlers of Acadia Parish, died at the age of 71, on April 12, 2013, in New Iberia, Louisiana. ; A memorial service will be held on Monday, April 15, 2013, at 5:00 p.m., in the Henton Chapel of the Episcopal School of Acadiana in Cade, Louisiana, with The Right Reverend Joseph Doss and The Reverend Ann B. Etheredge officiating. Visiting hours will be observed from 4:00 until 5:00 p.m. also in the Henton Chapel. ; ;Dr. Lewis was born on December 12, 1941, in Crowley, Louisiana. ; He hailed from a longtime lumber industry family, one of the early founders of Georgia-Pacific. ; An Eagle Scout, Dr. Lewis graduated from Crowley High School as valedictorian and National Merit Scholar. ; He was elected Governor of Louisiana Boys State and President Pro-Tempore of the Senate at Boys Nation. He received a B.A. in chemistry from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, where he was President of the LSU Student Body and held numerous offices in Kappa Sigma Fraternity. ; In addition, he was tapped for membership in the National Leadership Honor Society, Omicron Delta Kappa, and represented LSU in the national Quiz Bowl competition. ;Dr. Lewis received an M.D. from Louisiana State University Medical School in New Orleans. He trained as a resident in radiology at the Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia. After finishing his residency, he served as a major during the Vietnam War as Chief of Radiology at Fort McPherson Army Hospital. ;Dr. Lewis practiced radiology at Iberia Medical Center and Dauterive Hospital in New Iberia. ;As President of the Louisiana State Medical Society, Dr. Lewis made a distinguished contribution to his profession. He served as Ninth District Councilor for three terms, Chairman of the Credentials Committee for eight years, and a member of the Louisiana House of Delegates of the Louisiana State Medical Society for 29 years. ; Additionally, he served as physician representative to the Louisiana State Board of Nursing. He was a member of the American College of Radiology, the Louisiana Radiological Society, the Radiological Society of North America, and the American Medical Association. ;Passionate about history, an avid reader, and a Biblical scholar, Dr. Lewis cared deeply about education and possessed a steadfast religious faith. He served two terms as an early member of The Board of Trustees of the Episcopal School of Acadiana, and he was a founding trustee of the Epiphany Day School. Serving as President of the Board of Trustees of The First Presbyterian Church, he was also a member of the Presbyterian Session, an Elder and an Adult Sunday School teacher. He volunteered as a medical missionary in the Middle East on the West Bank. ;A true gentleman, Dr. Lewiss powerful intellect, keen wit, profound generosity, strong character, kind manner, and incredible work ethic were respected and admired by all who knew him. Active in numerous social organizations, including The Mystic Krewe of Andalusia, Krewe of Iberians, and Sons of the American Revolution, he also participated in the New Iberia Rotary Club where he was a Paul Harris Fellow. ;Devoted to his family, Dr. Lewis is survived by his wife of 49 years, Nancy Terrell Stutsman Lewis; three daughters, Laura Terrell Lewis Shelburne and her husband, Craig Aldredge Shelburne, of Santa Barbra, California, Ellen Rigsby Lewis Gildea and her husband, David Patrick Kevin Gildea, of Baltimore, Maryland; Mary Ayres Lewis Griggs and her husband, Richard Anthony Griggs, of Atlanta, Georgia; seven grandchildren, Peyton Terrell Elizabeth Shelburne, Elizabeth Darden Gildea, Craig Whitfield Lewis Shelburne, Edward Rigsby Gildea, John Rigsby Aldredge Shelburne, Henry Havard Griggs, and John Tilford Lowell Griggs. ; His parents, Charles Calbert Lewis, Jr. and Bertha Evelyn Rigsby Lewis of Crowley, Louisiana, preceded Dr. Lewis in death. ;The family would like to extend its deepest gratitude and sincere appreciation to Dr. Douglas Sagrera and Dr. Timothy F. Himel. ; Their extraordinary medical care and unwavering support during Dr. Lewiss lengthy illness shall never be forgotten. The family also wishes to thank Mary Touchet and Will Hedge for their excellent care and loving assistance over the years and recognize the numerous kindnesses and help of Cody Dutil and Bertha Bemand. ;In lieu of flowers, please consider sending memorial contributions to either the Tates-Tutwiler Endowment Fund at the Episcopal School of Acadiana, P.O. Box 308, Hwy. 92, Cade, Louisiana 70519 or the Charles Clinton Lewis Scholarship Fund at the Epiphany Day School, 303 West Main Street, New Iberia, Louisiana 70560. ;Pellerin Funeral Home, 502 Jefferson Terrace Blvd, New Iberia, LA 70560, 337.365.3331