Don Lewis' Obituary
Don Granville Lewis, 63 years old, of Tallahassee, FL died from complications of heart surgery on January 27, 2024. With his passing we lost his infectious laugh, his wonderful sense of style, his always noticed glasses and his devotion to the people and animals he loved.
Don was born in Wellington, TX to Robert (Bob) Granville and Patricia (McCarthy) Lewis. The son of a grocer, he helped out with the family business. His mom, a gifted pianist, instilled his lifelong love for piano music. He graduated salutatorian from Wellington High School in 1979 and graduated from The University of Texas at Austin in 1983. His time there was the beginning of his lifelong love of Austin, TX. Don moved to New York City and worked in the men’s fashion industry for more than 25 years. After retiring from fashion, Don pursued his passion for architecture and interior design and graduated with Honors from The New York School of Interior Design in 2011. He moved with his life partner and later husband to Tallahassee, FL in 2012.
Don met the love of his life, Gregory (Greg) K. Todd in June 1994 on a bus going to Fire Island Pines, NY. A conversation about Irish authors grew into a lifelong commitment. After 19 years together including supporting Greg through medical school, they were married in New York City in December 2013. Don applied his design skills to their homes in Tallahassee as well as vacation homes in Atlanta, GA, St. Petersburg, FL and Panama City Beach, FL.
Don always had a warm spot in his heart for his cats and dogs. He was “Papa” to Greg’s “Dad” to all of their pets. He leaves behind in Greg’s care two cats, sisters, Willa and Harper and a Boykin Spaniel, Duncan. A lifelong, voracious reader, some of his happiest moments were curled up reading a book with a glass of wine and a cat or two and often a dog nestled up next to him.
Don was preceded in death by his parents. In addition to his husband, Greg, he is survived by his sisters, Carey Neeley of Amarillo, TX and Debbie Jennings of Austin, TX and his nieces and nephews, Eric Neeley, Kate Neeley Atkins, Cara Jennings Gonzalez, Steven Jennings, and Chris Jennings.
Don requested no funeral service. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your local animal shelter in his memory or better yet, adopt a pet and let them enrich your life the way they did Don’s.
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