Remembering Justice R. Fred Lewis '69

A message from President Jeremy P. Martin, Ph.D.,

Florida lost one of its greatest citizens, and the College one of our own, in the passing this week of Justice R. Fred Lewis ’69. On behalf of the College, we extend our deepest sympathies to his wife, Mrs. Judy Lewis ’69, and the entire Lewis family.

Justice Lewis’ legacy as a jurist and citizen is vast. He served on the Supreme Court of Florida for two decades, including as Chief Justice from 2006 to 2008. He possessed a powerful intellect along with the ability to convey complex intricacies in digestible kernels of wisdom, which led him to found Justice Teaching, an organization engaging nearly 4,000 lawyers and judges to enhance civic and law-related education in Florida’s schools at every grade level.

President Emerita Dr. Anne B. Kerr knew Justice Lewis well, successfully recruiting him to return to Florida Southern in 2019 as Eminent Professor of Law and Letters and establish the Justice Teaching Center for Civic Learning. She wrote of him:

Justice Lewis epitomized our College mission by making a positive and consequential impact on society. He was a revered jurist, professor, leader, mentor, and colleague. Judy and Fred were treasured friends also and enriched our family and FSC community in ways too numerous and meaningful to recount. Our world has suffered a profound loss, but also bears witness to the enormity of his life of service, integrity, and as a champion of opportunity for all individuals.

Dr. Tracey Tedder, Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost, also a close friend, recalls of Justice Lewis:

The Honorable Justice Lewis exemplified the very highest ideals of integrity, wisdom, scholarship, and public service. Throughout his distinguished career, he made a remarkable and deeply consequential contribution to education, civic life, and the pursuit of justice. His leadership, intellectual generosity, warmth, and unwavering commitment to the common good leave a lasting legacy that will continue to inspire future generations. As a campus community, we join together in honoring his extraordinary life, remembering the many lives he touched, and extending our deepest sympathies to his family and all who were inspired by his enduring example.

Born in Beckley, West Virginia, and proud of the coal mining community from which he came, Fred Lewis arrived at Florida Southern as a freshman on the basketball team in the fall of 1965. He met his beloved wife, Judy, at the College, was a brother of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and was elected by his peers as class president three times. Upon his graduation in 1969, he was selected as the honor walk student. From Lakeland, he went to the University of Miami Law School, where he served as cadet commander of the university’s Army ROTC program before graduating third in his class as a member of its esteemed law review. A lifelong devotion to the Hurricanes – as well as to the Mocs, of course – ensued.

Justice Fred Lewis was among those incredibly rare human beings who, paraphrasing Rudyard Kipling, could “talk with crowds and keep [his] virtue, or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch.” Truly, he was a remarkable gentleman and beloved person who will be greatly missed.

On Thursday, June 11, Lewis will lie in state in the Florida Supreme Court rotunda from 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM, followed by a memorial service on Friday, June 12, at 11:00 AM in the courtroom of the Florida Supreme Court.

Gifts may be made in memory of former Florida Chief Justice R. Fred Lewis to Florida Southern College, 111 Lake Hollingsworth Drive, Lakeland, FL 33801. Contributions can be made by contacting the Office of Advancement at 863.680.4754 or by visiting www.flsouthern.edu/giving. Please select “Justice Lewis” from the “Area of Giving” dropdown menu.