Lewis_Ray_16 June 1931
Ray Lewis, 78, of Boise, went home to begin the next chapter of his life on Sunday September 27, 2009, where he will forever enjoy being the “HANDYMAN” repairing anything needing fixing, the “TEACHER” (teaching .the sports (fundamentals how to run, jump, and throw correctly), the “COACH” (uncovering people’s greatest potential, challenging them to strive for excellence, and awakening the giant within), and the “FATHER/MENTOR” (demonstrating the importance of providing for family, setting goals, and being a person of integrity).
Ray, born on June 16, 1931, in Malad, Idaho, was the son of John and Molly Lewis. He spent his school years in Idaho, and earned bachelor’s and master’s degree from the University of Idaho.
Ray was a key member of the 1949-50 Bronco football teams, playing in the 1949 Potato Bowl and co-captaining the team that played in the 1950 Little Rose Bowl. He also was a member of the 1950-51 Bronco track squad. After playing college football, Ray was drafted by the LA Rams in 1953, but chose to extend his legacy by starting a family and becoming an educator and coach.
He began his career as a physical education teacher at Caldwell High School and coached the football team. His most prized accomplishment was winning the championship game between Caldwell and Nampa, who was coached by his older brother, Dean Lewis. The competitive spirit lives strong in the Lewis family.
It is said that you can tell the worth of a man by the length of his shadow and Ray’s shadow stretched from each to west. He was a true coach and mentor at heart and in his 40 plus years of coaching track, football, and wrestling at the high school and university level, he inspired perpetual top performance, numerous state records and many championship titles.
His coaching stretched beyond the athletic field and into the very heart of life of countless athletes. His style was hard-hitting and motivational. Some even say he had the passion and temper of Bobby Knight and the “take charge and awake the personal power within” of Tony Robbins. Regardless of which side of Ray you encountered, he was a man of great influence and lasting impression.
Ray was relentless in his quest for excellence. His practice makes permanent” motto compelled him to focus on perfecting the fundamentals and repeating those over and over until they became the very fabric of one’s action. He believed that the “real” game is played on the practice field, for if you want to coach at the game, well it is simply too late.
In 1956, he began his career at Boise State, where he became the defensive coordinator and end/linebacker coach. He was the first student athlete from Boise Junior College to return as a coach. In 1964, he became Lyle Smith’s right hand man and was both offensive and defensive coordinator and line coach until 1967. Ray was instrumental in building the track and wrestling programs at BSU. He served as head track coach from 1956-72, coaching eight conference championship teams. As head wrestling coach from 1958-69 he coached two conference championship teams. In 1972 he moved his career to the classroom.
Ray was hard working, had a cunning sense of humor, competitive spirit, and great love for his family. As a teacher and coach, his most precious students were his children and grandchildren. He taught them to believe in themselves, appreciate the talents and capabilities within and above all else to never give up, no matter the difficulty of the quest.
Ray met his soul mate, Patricia Hancock in 1952, while attending University of Idaho. One might say it was love at first sight because they were married just three months later and they remained so until Patricia’s death in 1996. They were best friends with a shared love for ballroom dancing, Frank Sinatra, competitive sports, summers at their favorite camping spot, vanilla ice cream with chocolate sauce, and most of all raising and encouraging their seven children, as well as the countless other “children” that he coached and mentored.
Ray taught great perspective, how to strive, stand tall and to pick themselves up when life pushed them down. To work hard, do better and achieve more. He after gave them the nudge they needed t take a risk, to enjoy life, to reach higher and to believe. His tough guidance has built a generous and loving legacy of persons who will make good contributions to people, organizations, and humanity. His touch will be felt for years.
Ray was quite the “Mr. Fix-it”. When not at a game or practice, he could be found in his garage with a cold glass of Pepsi in hand, fixing just about anything needing repair. Though he never spent all his energy on building a career, many say he spent his energy building and encouraging the strengths in those he met. His belief in the importance of setting big audacious goals, building a solid foundation of strength, demonstrating a positive can-do attitude and living with admirable character was something he shared with everyone God put in his path.
Many of the athletes who were blessed to have Ray as a coach have said, “He was tough, demanding, and incredibly tireless – there were times when I just didn’t think I could push any harder or take another step, but then Ray would look me straight in the eyes, use that booming voice and convince me that I could take one more jump, run one more sprint or life the bar just one more time. He challenged me and you know what? He made me better-not only as an athlete, but more importantly as a person.
Others would add, “Ray had this saying, “If you think you can, you can. If you think you can’t, you’re right”. I still think of that today when I am faced with one of life’s difficulties and it gives me the strength to power through.”
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Molly Lewis, wife, Patricia Hancock Lewis, brothers, Leonel, Marlo, Dean, and sister, Nada. He is survived by his wife, Nikki, his brothers, Barney and Jack, his sons, daughter-in-laws, daughter and son-in-law, Rik. Tori and Debbie, Mauri and Lori, Darby and Carla, Kasey and Belyn, Joey and Monica, and Michelle and David Modrow. He has 16 grandsons, eight granddaughters, and three great-grandchildren.
Services for this inspirational man will be at 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 10, 2009 at Valley Life, Community Church, 6523 North Locust Grove, in Meridian, Idaho. Pastor Tom Katsma will preside. Arrangements under the direction of Summers Funeral Home, Ustick Chapel.
Please view the Ray Lewis Memorial Group on Facebook for additional information. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the Ray Lewis Memorial Scholarship Fund at the Capital Educators Credit Union in Boise, Idaho.