Julius Curtis Lewis, Jr.

Infobox Mayor | J. Curtis Lewis, Jr.


order=60^th Mayor of Savannah, Georgia
term_start=October 3, 1966
term_end=1970
predecessor=Malcolm Maclean
successor=John Rousakis
birth_date=birth date | 1926 | 03 | 11
birth_place=Savannah, Georgia
death_date=death date | 2005 | 08 | 20 Age 79
spouse=Nancy Nelson Lewis
alma_mater=University of Georgia
religion=Baptist
party=Republican

Julius Curtis Lewis, Jr. (b. March 11, 1926 in Savannah, Georgia; d. August 20, 2005) was an American businessman, philanthropist and Chairman of J.C. Lewis Enterprises, Lewis Broadcasting Corporation, J.C. Lewis Investment Company, and Island Investments. He served as Mayor of Savannah in the late 1960s as a Republican.

Lewis started his life by inheriting Georgia’s oldest Ford dealership from his father and built a 800 million-dollar diversified family empire (Savannah Morning News, August 2005): including numerous television and radio stations, along with new and used car dealerships throughout the southeast; and over a dozen other companies including life insurance and both commercial and residential development real estate firms.

Lewis gave away over one-hundred million dollars to charities, schools and religious organizations across the southeast. (Associated Press, September 2005). He was phenomenally successful in both business and politics; however, he is most known for his true passion of helping others through his generous philanthropy.

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From the 1940s to 2005, Lewis developed a sizable business empire: including automobile dealerships and media outlets throughout the southeast, including both a TV and radio station bearing his initials - WJCL-TV, and WJCL-FM in Savannah, Georgia, and a large commercial real estate portfolio including numerous shopping centers and tracts of mixed use properties throughout the Savannah area--and Green Island, a 2500 deeded acre barrier island located on the coast of Georgia where he resided until his death and his family currently resides. He was the developer of the final phase of the Landings on Skidaway Island, Moon River Landing and owned(s) the southern end of Skidaway Island near Savannah.

His automotive interests included: the two Ford dealerships in Savannah, Georgia, as well as the city's Lincoln, Mercury, Mazda, Saab, and Avis Rent A Car franchise(s). He was also a principal owner of the Ford dealerships in Daytona Beach and Melbourne, Florida. Lewis was a principal partner in CLV-Credit Life Insurance Corporation and owned Owens and Trojan Yacht Sales Group in Thunderbolt, GA. In the late 1970s and 1980's Lewis owned & operated a group of hotels & motels including, The Howard Johnson's Motels in Hardeeville, SC & Daytona Beach, FL, as well as the Ramada DownTowner Hotel & Restaurant in Savannah, GA which was later sold to SCAD and converted into student housing.

His media properties included: ABC-22 WJCL-TV and FOX-28 WTGS-TV in Savannah, Georgia , NBC-38 WLTZ-TV in Columbus, Georgia, CBS-19 WLTX-TV in Columbia, South Carolina, and a Country Western format radio station in Savannah, Georgia WJCL-FM, as well as three classic rock formated stations in Jackson, and Vicksburg, Mississippi WSTZ-FM & WSTZ-AM, and Columbia, South Carolina WNOK-FM. In the mid 70's Lewis acquired the "Savannah Business Journal" newspaper.

Lewis was instrumental in developing the southside of Savannah along Abercorn Street. He played a pivotal role in the revitalization of the city's River Street and was one of the State's greatest Philanthropists. While Mayor he was directly responsible for the construction of Savannah Civic Center, and the Planning of the Harry S. Truman Parkway.

Lewis was also an avid yachtsman, amateur radio operator (FCC EXTRA Class), family man, and Sunday School Teacher (Deacon). The philanthropist, businessman and former mayor was one of Georgia's leading figures in the 20th century.

Philanthropy

Lewis is remembered as an exceedingly generous man who was never too busy to listen to other’s needs. Lewis was the primary benefactor and sustained numerous organizations over the years throughout the Coastal Empire by donating over the course of his lifetime an estimated one hundred and thirty million dollars in assets "(Journal of American Philanthropy, September, 2005)" to various charitable groups; including the Union Mission, which provides shelter for men, women, and families, short and long term housing assistance, health and dental care, behavioral counseling, substance abuse programs, life skills training, job training; and employment assistance to the underprivileged population of the Coastal Empire, and to the First Baptist Church of Savannah on Chippewa Square (where he was a member for 66 years; on its campus are the Lewis Fellowship Hall and Mahogany Altar); Lewis donated the land and buildings for the Skidaway Island Baptist Church ($4 Million), The Savannah Baptist Center (undisclosed sum), The JC Lewis Health Center (which has become a National Model program for healthcare for the indigent saving hospitals millions in impoverished care costs annually: undisclosed sum), The JC Lewis Promotion Center (undisclosed sum), and The JC Lewis Behavioral Health Center ($1 Million), and the Chatham County Republican Party headquarters on Abercorn Street.

Lewis was the primary benefactor in the Grace House and the Magdalene and Phoenix Projects. Lewis donated the land for the YMCA Habersham Branch in Savannah, Congregation Agudath Achim and Bnai Brith Jacob Synagogues, Memorial Day School, The Episcopal Church of Oakdale, Georgia, The Virginia Heard Public School, The Skidaway Island Community Center, New Hope African Baptist Church of Savannah, The Word of God building & (Alzheimer's Association Coastal Georgia Region), The Savannah Jewish Educational Alliance (JEA), and the section 8 housing behind his Ford dealership on Abercorn Street in Savannah, Georgia. Lewis was also a major benefactor of the Savannah Country Day School’s Lewis Leadership Center and Savannah Christian Preparatory School’s Nancy N Lewis and JC Lewis Fine Arts Hall as well as the 24 Million Dollar [http://www.sjchs.org/documents/public/cancer/local_philanthropist.pdf] Nancy N. and J.C. Lewis Cancer and Research Pavilion at St. Josephs / Candler Hospital System, and endowing over one million dollars in 2003 to the JC and Nancy Lewis Christian Missions Endowment Fund of Woodberry Forest School in Orange, Virginia.

Political career

Lewis ran for Mayor of Savannah in 1966.

Even though he did not exploit the racial issues, he benefited from a backlash from White voters against Democratic incumbent Malcolm Maclean. Many White segregationists considered that Maclean was too soft on matters dealing with race. "He served a productive four years. His administration instituted the then-popular Model Cities Program, a federally funded effort to improve blighted neighborhoods and erase neglect. The Savannah Civic Center and sewerage treatment plant got boosts during his term. He also hired the city's first black department head, retired Army Lt. Col. Tom Sears, whose daughter, Leah Ward Sears, now serves as chief justice of the Georgia Supreme Court." ibid

As a result, Lewis and his entire slate of six Republican aldermanic candidates were elected to City Hall. [Savannah Morning News, August 3, 1966]

After four years in office though, they were all defeated.

Democratic nominee John Rousakis succeeded Lewis in 1970. [Savannah Morning News, August 5, 1970]

In the early 1960s, J.C. Lewis, Jr., a former YMCA president, donated convert|8.5|acre|m2 of land on South Habersham Street and went on to lead the 1964 capital funds campaign. The result of those generous efforts especially on the part of Mr. Lewis, as well as Frank S. Cheatham, Robert H. Demere, W.W. Sprague, Jr., and many others was the YMCA Family Center on Habersham (now known as the Habersham Branch YMCA).

In 1929 the general aviation committee of the Savannah City Council recommended that the 730 acre (3 km²) Belmont Tract, belonging to Mr. Lewis' father, J. C. Lewis, be accepted by the Council as the future site of the Savannah Municipal Airport now known as Hunter Army Airfield.

Lewis previously owned the land where numerous city landmarks now exist--including the Oglethorpe Mall and surrounding shopping areas, the Dan Vaden Chevrolet dealership; Southern Motors Honda-Chrysler-Jeep dealership, as well as The Savannah Civic Center; which is located adjacent to the building his Ford dealership was located before relocating to Abercorn Street adjacent to his television stations.

History

Long before the term compassionate conservative entered our vocabulary, J. Curtis Lewis was its face. An enormously successful businessman, Mr. Lewis's foundation was the Ford dealership he inherited at age 16 when his father died.

His leadership skills led him from business to politics where he became, in 1966, the first Republican mayor of a Georgia city since Reconstruction. A native of Savannah, J. Curtis Lewis was a prefect at The Woodberry Forest School in Orange Virginia where he graduated with honors and went on to become an Summa Cum Laude graduate of the University of Georgia. Lewis was a proud veteran of the United States Navy, the Coast Guard and the Merchant Marine.

Following his distinguished sea service to our nation, Mr. Lewis embarked on what would become an incredibly successful business career, building wealth and stature in several arenas, but perhaps mostly so in the fields of automotive sales, television broadcasting, and real estate; bringing him considerable stature and positive recognition throughout the region, and well beyond. Along the way, he took the time and applied his abundant leadership skills to pilot Savannah through some then-choppy waters, serving with distinction as Savannah’s mayor during the latter half of the turbulent ‘60’s.

Apart from business, apart from elected office, he recognized throughout his life, that his real mission here on earth was to serve his God by faithfully serving others. Not simply to build up businesses and make them successful, but helping to care-for and build-up people, whenever possible, bringing self-worth and fulfillment to their lives as well. And all of that, he did, in an amazing way. Through his generous donation of wisdom, time, money and caring, he repeatedly provided the critical tools and means so that our professionals might better provide physical, mental and spiritual assistance to those for whom each day is a challenge.

Honors

A member of Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity. Active on the Board of the Kiwanis Club; on the Bethesda Orphanage, on the Board of Directors; the Georgia Baptist Children's Home; Woodberry Forest School Board of Trustees; the President of the YMCA of the Coastal Empire; the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors; the United Community Appeal or United Way; The Savannah Country Day School, Chairman Board of Trustees; Citizens and Southern Bank or Bank of America, Board of Directors; Savannah Foods (Imperial Sugar), Board of Directors; Association of the United States Army, President, Coastal Empire Chapter; the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Savannah, GA Lodge 183; American Legion, Post 184; the United States Navy League; and The Salvation Army as well as The Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum Foundation as an Honorary Director. In 1957 he served as Chairman of The Georgia Automobile Dealers Association; and many more.

His awards, A Brotherhood Award from Agudath Achim Synagogue, the President's Award from Savannah State College, Outstanding Alumni Award from the University of Georgia; Union Mission, Golden Heart Award; Community Service Award from the Georgia Municipal Association; United States Army Award for patriotic civilian service while serving as President of the Association of the United States Army, Coastal Empire Chapter; Salvation Army, "Others" Award; Savannah Exchange Club, Golden Deeds Award; the Rotary Club, Paul Harris Fellow and Honorary Member; The Oglethorpe Leadership Award by The Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce; a two-time national recipient of The Ben Franklin Quality Dealer Award sponsored by Time Magazine and Time Life; and also an inductee in the U.S. Business Hall of Fame by Junior Achievement. The local Chatham County Republican Party named their annual award in his honor, the J.C. Lewis Award.

--> In 2005, a Pavilion of local St. Joseph’s/Candler Hospital was renamed to honor Lewis. [http://www.sjchs.org/documents/public/cancer/local_philanthropist.pdf] [ [http://www.sjchs.org/body.cfm?id=38&action=detail&ref=47 St. Joseph's/Candler Renames Cancer & Research Pavilion, July 26, 2005] ]

--> In 2003, S. 1671 [http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/11/20031111-12.html] was passed: A bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service, located at 10701 Abercorn Street in Savannah, Georgia, as the “J.C. Lewis, Jr., Post Office Building.” [ [http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/11/20031111-12.html Statement by the Press Secretary ] ]

Footnotes

External links

* [http://www.ci.savannah.ga.us/cityweb/webdatabase.nsf/E12F5A82DA01561685256AB6006C3E62/3F6DC97D79C23C2D85256AB7004832F7 Mayor's official site]

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