James "Jim" Herbert Lewis

James "Jim" Herbert Lewis age 75 of Florence, Kentucky, passed away March 20, 2013. He was born in Clay County, Kentucky, on January 31, 1938, to James and Mary Pauline (Marcum) Lewis. Jim graduated from Hamilton High School in Hamilton, Ohio, and received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Art Academy of Cincinnati. He worked at Hamilton Printing Company and GE Evendale in Ohio and Ceramico in Kentucky. For nearly 30 years, he taught as an Associate Professor at Gateway Community and Technical College in northern Kentucky. He taught topics from digital imaging and computer illustration to drawing, typography and three-dimensional modeling and animation. Jim was also Chairperson for Kentucky’s statewide Visual Communication Curriculum Committee with KCTCS from 1997 to 2012.

Jim’s inspiration for art was fueled by Charley Harper, the Cincinnati-based American Modernist artist known for his stylized wildlife prints, who was a professor of Jim’s at the Art Academy of Cincinnati. Jim was a talented artist in his own right, drawing and painting in a number of mediums using his knowledge and experience with design and color.

He had a vast diversity of talents and interests. Jim was a licensed pilot and throughout his life he remained active enjoying sports and activities including flying, running, Scuba diving, water skiing and tennis.

Jim also loved to fish, and since his high school days, spent many happy hours with his grandchildren, children, family and friends angling at Walloon Lake in northern Michigan and deep sea fishing on family vacations.

Incredibly well read with an exceptional memory, Jim invested his time in topics from art and politics to history and poetry. These attributes shaped a keen intellect. He combined a great knowledge of history, facts, current events and information from many sources to understand issues and topics thoroughly. He was able to distill and explain that information while also sharing his opinion on issues to a range of people from his grandchildren and family to his colleagues and students. He had a special interest in working with young people and his students as an advocate for education, particularly for those who were most vulnerable: the poor, the young and the underserved.

Jim loved life and was devoted to his wife, Marilee, his children and grandchildren and his family and friends. He was warm, friendly and articulate and aged with a beautiful dignity and grace. His wisdom, kindness, and strength supported his family as the year’s passed.

He is survived by his wife, Marilee Lewis; children, James Cullen Lewis of Hamilton, Cameron "Cammie" Jean Lewis (James R.) Mitrione of Hamilton, Dr. Jennifer Elizabeth Lewis (Andy Schlotterbeck) of Loveland, Rachel Marie Bailey of Florence and Sarah Ann (Ian) Gordon of Sarasota; grandchildren, Nicholas James Mitrione (14), Sophia Elizabeth Mitrione (11), Madison Kylie Bailey (11), Charity Teresa Gordon (2) and Annabelle Bliss Gordon (infant); sister, Ann (Bill) House of London and nephew Chris Lewis of Long Boat Key. He was preceded in death by his parents; and first wife and friend, Bonnie Jean Cullen Lewis. Visitation will be 4 pm until time of memorial service (5 pm), Tuesday, March 26, 2013, at Brown Dawson Flick Funeral Home, 1350 Millville Avenue, Hamilton, Ohio, 45013, with Pastor Cleddie Keith of Heritage Fellowship officiating. A gathering of family and friends will immediately follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Gateway Community & Technical College Foundation, 500 Technology Way, Florence, KY 41042, a foundation to assist students in need.