James Edward Lewis

James Edward Lewis was born January 6, 1928 in Wallis, Texas to Jesse Lewis and Jessie Woods Coleman who preceded him in death. He was married to Barbara Bailey and to this union was born one child, Robin Corine Lewis who also preceded him in death. He grew up in 4th Ward where he attended Beebe Tabernacle Christian Methodist Episcopal Church under the leadership of Rev. L. S. White. James attended the historical Edgar M. Gregory Elementary School, Booker T. Washington Junior Senior High School. In 1947 he attended Texas College Tyler, Texas where he received his Bachelor of Arts, Prairie View A&M University with a Masters of Education and the University of Mainz in Germany. James was a native Houstonian who played football, basketball and ran track at Booker T. Washington Senior High. He was named captain of all three previously mentioned sports for two consecutive years. In basketball he made all district, city and state all tournament team in 1946. In football, James made all city and district for three back-to-back years. During the same year at Booker T. Washington Junior Senior High, he participated in the National Basketball Tournament at Tennessee State University (TSU) where they won consolation (4th place). This was the first time a Houston school went to the nationals. “Blue” received both football and basketball scholarships to Texas College where he became all conference and captain of the teams his senior year. After graduation from college, he entered the Army. James “Blue” Lewis became a military police and played football and basketball on the European continent where he was awarded all Army honors. Towards the end of his military career he began coaching both football and basketball on the base in Augusta, Georgia. After receiving an honorable discharge from the Army, Lewis began teaching at Rosie Lee Easter and E.O. Smith Jr. High School. In 1960 he was named head basketball coach at Booker T. Washington. Next, Lewis went to Abraham Lincoln for two years where he coached football and basketball. Milby High was the next school to receive Lewis’ expertise and experience. At Milby he coached football, track and served as the head golf coach. Milby golf captured city and district titles for four years. James E. “Blue” Lewis retired in 1985 and was a member and instructor of the Lone Star Golf Association (Junior Pro) and Ex-Prairie View Interscholastic League Coaches Association. A recent book written by Thurman Robins, Ed.D. acknowledged and dedicated parts of the book to Coach Lewis and others in the era of segregation James was affiliated with Texas African American Coaches Association (TAACA), and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. In the 1970's he was the owner of the Touchdown Club.  He leaves to cherish his memory a loving and devoted sister which he cared for all her life: Myrtle Marie Jackson Ross; nieces: Sharon McGowan, Beverly Ross and Mavis Jackson; a special friend: Mrs. Bertha Barnes Dinkins; Great-nieces and nephews: Alicia Jackson, Edward Jackson, Deric Muhammad (Oni), Melissa McCowan, Tamara Oliver, Jesse Muhammad (Shareefa), Erica McCowan Ba (Renaud) and Victor Jackson; great-great nieces and nephews: Datron, Jeremy, Jeremaya, Brandon, David, Jasmin, Jacobi, Olivia, Nimah, Najah, Hadiyah, Kalimah, Jasmin and Ashyri; cousins: Martha Reed, and Betty Panky of California and Ouida Collins M.D. of Tennessee; and a host of friends, coworkers and associates.