Clayton "Harold" Lewis

Clayton Harold Lewis Jr.
“Pops”
January 21, 1960 – July 9, 2016

Harold was a free spirit, letting the wind carry him to unknown adventures. He was intelligent and a hard worker, choosing construction as his life-long passion. He was a sloth, delighting in the idle pleasures of a beautiful world. He was a humanitarian, willing to give his last dollar to a stranger or take in a stray dog off the street. Most important, Harold was a husband that loved his wife unto death, and a father that worked tirelessly to provide for his family.

As a child, Harold was precocious at best and a menace at worst. Intelligent beyond his years, and bored with school, he cut classes in favor of exploring the forests, valleys and creeks surrounding his home. Broken bones were common, and he had passion for skateboarding that left a 6-inch gash in his thigh. He would bring home wild flowers, stray dogs and injured wildlife. Life was an adventure, and he would not waste a moment.

In 1967, the family moved from Charleston, WV to Ft. Pierce, FL. He was home. When his family moved back to West Virginia nine years later, he decided to stay. There was no one left here for him to turn to, and he didn’t care. The beach was his home, the surf was his love. He did odd jobs, and ate the various wild fruits of Florida. When he was old enough, his passion for the Florida shore drew him to work at the power plant.

Thus began Harold’s adult life. He also worked for a variety of construction companies, whose exploits built the Treasure Coast:
Port St. Lucie High School Track
Winn-Dixie Plaza, Hobe Sound
Mets Stadium, Port St. Lucie
Dillard’s addition to The Treasure Coast Mall

Harold’s wife, Kristen Lewis, assumed his position on the Dillard’s site after he suffered heat exhaustion. Theirs was a passion of fire fueled by pure oxygen, burning uncontrollably until it consumed them.

It was 1984. He was a 24 year-old Florida beach bum, she a 20 year-old New York Catholic School graduate. They met, as youngsters do, at a party. She was beautiful and sweet, and he was in love. He saved her from her abusive boyfriend, and they began a new life together. They were married within the year, and she gave birth to twins Danelle and Nicole in the spring of 1985.
The new family settled in Port St. Lucie, FL when it was young, and watched their daughters and town grow. In 1992, they welcomed their son, Raymond into the world. It was a perfect American family, with the world in front of them.

The new millennium ushered in a new era. Harold and Kristen separated, and then divorced. The girls graduated high school and began their lives. Raymond, still in school, kept Harold in close contact with Kristen. The divorce may have separated them, but their love never faded.

In the winter of 2006, Harold’s health began to deteriorate. He had battled pneumonia every year of his life, but this year was to seal his fate. His kidneys failed, leaving him dependent of dialysis to keep him alive. His heart, once strong and healthy, was opened for surgery. Through all of this he remained optimistic and good natured. He also remained a dedicated smoker, and in time both legs were amputated. He took all of this in stride, content with his fate, steadfast in his lifestyle.
Through all of these tribulations, Kristen never left his side. He was her husband, her love, the father of her children. A medical professional herself, she saved his life more than once. Tragically, she could not save her own. Kristen Mary (Burke) Lewis suddenly died on April 14, 2011. The family was shattered, and Harold was broken. His final years slowly unfolded, spent in quiet pleasures and joyful memories.

In January 2016, Harold was hospitalized once again with pneumonia. In the hospital, he developed a terrible bedsore, and was at last sent to Kindred Hospital in Riviera Beach, Fl. There, the specialized doctors and nurses did everything possible to save him. He never lost hope, and looked forward to healing and coming home. The love of his sister, Kay Greene of Pell City, AL and brother, Michael Lewis of Sod, WV gave him strength to fight to the very end.

On the morning of July 9, 2016, Harold’s great heart gave out.

His legacy lives on in his children, who everyday strive to live by his example. We learn to live and live to learn. We never turn our back on a hungry stranger or stray dog. And above all, we always stop to appreciate the beauty of this world.

“Say tomorrow, I can’t follow you there. Just close your eyes, and sing for me.
I will hear you. Always near you, and I’ll give you the words, just sing for me.
No looking back when I am gone. Follow your heart, it’s never wrong.”
-Sing For Me by Yellowcard