Lewis Monroe Smith

Lewis Monroe Smith, 84 of Wimberley died in his home on November 22, 2020.

Lewis was born in Atlanta, GA to Lewis Monroe Smith and Edna Louise Mabee on September 27th, 1935 in Atlanta, GA. In 1968 he moved to Chicago, IL in 1968 to raise a family of two boys, and retired to Wimberley in 1995.

After graduating as Valedictorian from Emory University, Lewis began his work-life as a journalist at the Atlanta Journal ConstitutionI in 1958, then started a career with Sears Roebuck & Company in 1959, were he ultimately served as Director of Communications at the company’s headquarters in Chicago. Lewis pursued a second career as an officer in the United States Naval Reserve where he earned a Bronze Star Medal in Operation Desert Storm and retired as Captain.

As a retiree in Wimberley, Lewis was very active in local community affairs where he served as president and director of the Wimberley Lions Club; founded the Hays Co. CERT team;

worked as a volunteer in the Hays Co. Sheriff’s Warrant Division and was recognized as Wimberley’s Patriot of the Year in 2011.

He also served four terms as the Commander of the VFW, worked as VFW Rodeo Chairman, chaired the first WISD’s Facilities Needs Assessment Committee and sponsored the Senior League Texans for five seasons. Lewis also served on the boards of the Wimberley Chamber of Commerce, Wimberley Institute of Cultures, and was founding director of the Wimberley Independent School Dist. Education.

Additional accomplishments and pursuits during his life include:

- FAA Instrument-rated pilot and sailplane pilot

- FIA-licensed racecar driver, instructor and SCCA race steward

- Deck seaman, bridge watch-stander and helmsman in the Merchant Marines

- One-design sailboat racer

- Chicago Film Festival “Hugo” award winner for a documentary film profiling the 1978 Summer Olympics

- Experienced 20 Scud missile attacks while serving in Operation Desert Storm

- Active member of Texas Longhorn Breeders Association of America

Lewis is survived by his two sons, Matthew who lives in Wilton, CT with his wife, Lisa and their three sons, and David who lives in Nagoya, Japan with his wife Reiko, and his sister,

Dee Park, who lives in Raleigh, NC.

A memorial service was held at the Wimberley VFW on December 2nd, and interment will be at the Arlington National Cemetery at a date that is to be determined.