Hal Graham Lewis, Sr

Hal Graham Lewis, Sr. died at his daughter''s home in Livermore, California on August 7, 2005. Hal, one of seven children of Edward and Lilliam Lewis, was born on April 16, 1908 in Greensboro, Georgia. He was married to Mary Godwin Lewis of Americus, Georgia; and had two children, Hal Graham Lewis, Jr. and Mary Elizabeth Lewis Costantino. His wife and son preceded him in death. He is survived by his daughter, Elizabeth; and grandchildren, Kristen Lewis Ewing, Allison Lewis, Miles Walker Lewis, Esther Costantino Waltz, David Loc Costantino, and Dr. Mary Marcelle Costantino Pierznik. He is also survived by three great-grandchildren, Zoe Lewis Ewing, Sophie Lewis Ewing, and Benjamin Lewis Ewing; his nephews Dr. Edward Lloyd Lewis and Lewis Bryan; and his niece Kay Lewis LePeyre.

Hal Lewis graduated from the University of Georgia in 1930, where he was Phi Beta Kappa, and earned his Doctor of Philosophy from Columbia University in 1951. He taught and then was principal of the P.K. Yonge Laboratory School and served as professor in the Department of Education at the University of Florida. Upon his retirement, he was appointed Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus. Hal was active in the civil rights movement in the 1950s and 60s and made considerable commitment of his time and personal resources to his church and the Gainesville community.

Hal left a history of compassion, unbounded personal kindness and generosity, a fierce dedication to the welfare of the unfortunate, and an unswerving devotion to his family and friends. His professional colleagues will remember his keen and penetrating intellect, his moral courage, and his profound ability to convert contention to concurrence. His undergraduate and graduate students are his greatest legacy, carrying with them his teachings, wisdom, and personal guidance to pass to their students. Hal''s most enduring legacy is the question put to countless husbands and sons, and then to their children: "Why can''t you be more like Hal?"

A graveside service will be held on Friday, August 12, 2005 at 2:00 p.m. at Greenview Cemetery in Greensboro, GA. A memorial service will be held at the chapel at The Village 8000 NW 27th Blvd, Gainesville on Sunday, August 14 at 3:00. In lieu of flowers, Hal requested donations be made to the P.K. Yonge Alumni Fund, 1080 SW 11th Street, Gainesville, Florida; or to The Southern Poverty Law Center, 400 Washington Ave., Montgomery, Alabama., 36104.

McCommons Funeral Home, 109 W. Broad St., Greensboro, GA, (706) 453-2626, is in charge of arrangements. Visit us at www.mccommonsfuneralhome.com to sign the online guest register.

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