History & Heritage

Mr. Lewis dedicated his life to funeral service and this dedication began when he started with his uncle, Mr. C. Ed Settegast, in 1901.

In 1936, Mr. Lewis joined the firm of H.L. Fortinberry Funeral Home, located in the old Waddell family home at 2404 Caroline Street in Houston. The firm then changed names to Lewis & Fortinberry.

After a year, Mr. Lewis bought Mr. Fortinberry's share of the business and changed the name of the firm to Geo. H. Lewis & Co.

Due to the service, compassion and respect that families received from Geo. H. Lewis & Co., the business experienced incredible growth and Mr. and Mrs. Lewis decided to involve their four sons into the daily operations. After World War II, the name changed again to Geo. H. Lewis & Sons.

In 1952, the Lewis family decided to build a new building in Houston at 405 Mc Gowen which was the first building in Houston to be specifically constructed as a funeral home.

In 1964, Geo. H. Lewis & Sons built a new funeral home in Houston at the intersection of Westheimer and Sage Roads. One year later, in 1965, Geo. H. Lewis Sr. died and left the firm to his wife, Norma, and their four sons Geo. H. Lewis Jr., Gus D. Lewis Sr., Norman F. Lewis, and Bob G. Lewis.

Geo. H. Lewis & Sons conducted the first burials at Memorial Oaks Cemetery, Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery and the Veterans Administration Cemetery (now Houston National Cemetery). In the mid-60's, Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, along with four other funeral homes in Houston, acquired the Memorial Oaks Cemetery from Charles McGregor and developed it into the beautiful cemetery it is today.

In 1969, Geo. H. Lewis & Sons affiliated with the now largest network of funeral service providers in North America and are proud to be a Dignity Memorial® Provider.

In 1975, due to the area's change from residential to commercial near the Mc Gowen location, the Lewis family moved all operations to the location at Westheimer and Sage Roads.

In 1982, Geo. H. Lewis & Sons built a new location, where it is currently located at 1010 Bering Drive in the heart of Tanglewood, just blocks away from the firm's original third home at Sage and Westheimer Roads on 3.2 acres of property with a large parking lot to accommodate the largest of funeral services.

In 1996, the current location of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons was completely renovated. With the addition of The Pavilion and other rooms, the new facility consists of approximately 33,000 square feet. The Jasek Chapel is one of the largest funeral chapels in the city and includes both a Rogers® organ and a Steinway & Sons baby grand piano. The adjoining Pavilion allows family and friends to have catered receptions during and following visitations and services.

The lineage of associates who have dedicated themselves to the firm and its mission are another unique feature of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons. For example, the Jasek Chapel was dedicated to the firm's chairman, L. A. Jasek, who continues to serve our families after more than 52 years of tenure. The deserologist, Ms. Tommie Castleberry, has served families since 1955. Our chief executive officer, Mr. Billy C. Wells, has served since 1973, and our, president, Bob Jones, since 1974. Other associates with extended years of service are commonplace at this firm.

Many of the service details, traditions and heritage established by Geo. H. Lewis, Sr. are still in place today at Geo. H. Lewis & Sons. The personnel at Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, many of whom have been with the firm for 30 years or more, are dedicated to maintaining the level of service established by its founder.