A Reflection of Robert Lee Lewis Jr.  

  Robert Lee Lewis Jr., was born on June 8, 1944, in Early County, Blakely, Georgia, to Robert Lee Lewis Sr., and Alberta Towns Lewis. His father, mother, and younger siblings relocated to Hallandale, Florida. He attended Lanier Elementary School and Lanie Junior High School until the end of his ninth-grade school year. After this, in 1960, his family moved to Cocoa, Florida.  

  In Cocoa, he attended Monroe High School from the tenth to the twelfth grade and was a distinguished member of the school honor society organization. His academic prowess was evident when he graduated as Valedictorian in 1963. The same year he attended Talladega College in Talladega, Alabama, where he graduated Cum Laude in 1967.  At Talladega College, he met the love of his life Carolyn Earlene Butler. Robert then attended Harvard University Law School in the minority program from 1967-1968.  

  Though Carolyn was still on his mind, in 1968, Robert joined the Peace Corps and served as a teacher in the Philippines and Carolyn continued on with her education and received her Master's Degree in social work from the University of Michigan. In May 1969, Robert returned to the United States to attend the University of Iowa and reunite with his love Carolyn.  Carolyn joined Robert in Iowa and later that year, Robert Lewis Jr. and Carolyn Earlene Butler were married on December 27,1969.  

  Carolyn continued her career in social work and Robert graduated in 1972 and passed the Iowa state bar exam.  Robert was offered a job with the Cuyahoga County Public Defender's Office in Cleveland, OH.  He served the judicial system for over thirty years passing up the opportunity of judgeship 3 times.  He wanted to be the voice for people and make sure everyone had equal defense under the Constitution.  Robert eventually became a Supervisor of the Public Defender's Office.  

  Robert and Carolyn raised two boys, William Edward Lewis and Robert Lee Lewis III.  They lived in Cleveland before settling in Twinsburg, Ohio. He loved to care for his flowers and vegetable garden, cook delicious meals for his wife and two boys, and treasured their memorable vacations and recreational excursions.  Robert was a "hands on father" and instilled everything a man should be in his boys by leading by example.  No matter how busy or tired he was, he always made time for them.  He would play catch or roughhouse with them after work still in his suit, take them fishing and exploring, read to them and all the things that "good dads" do.  

  Robert Jr. entered eternal rest on Monday, September 9, 2024, joining his loving wife of 51 years, Carolyn Earlene Butler Lewis, who preceded him in death January 25, 2019.  

  He was the proud father of William Edward Lewis and Robert Lee Lewis III, of Twinsburg, Ohio and even prouder "Pop Pop" of William Lewis Jr.  Dear brother of Luther Wiggins (Helen Wiggins deceased) of Rockledge, Florida, and William Lewis (Ethel) of Cocoa, Florida, Marva Lewis Dowding of Dover, Delaware, and Virginia Lewis of Dawson, Georgia. Loving nephew of Eunice Towns Stanley of Decatur, Georgia and loving uncle, cousin, and caring friend of many.  Three generations of family has brought him exceptional, heartfelt happiness.  

 The Fatherhood Initiative 
1640 Superior Ave Suite 80, Cleveland OH 44114
 Tel:  1-216-348-3967
 Email:  cuyahoga-fatherhood-initiative@jfs.ohio.gov
 Web:   https://hhs.cuyahogacounty.gov/divisions/detail/fatherhood-initiative