Dr. James Robert Lewis

The Celebration of Life for Dr. Lewis will be live streamed on the Facebook Page of Fisher Memorial Funeral Parlor.

FACE MASKS ARE REQUIRED!!!

Dr. James Robert Lewis, DDS, MPH

August 3, 1938 (Sunrise) - May 15, 2023 (Sunset)

James Robert Lewis, son of the late Carl Edwin Lewis and Essie Foust Lewis, was born in Asheboro, NC on August 3, 1938. He departed this life on May 15, 2023.

James graduated from Central High School in Asheboro, NC as one of two valedictorians of his class in 1956. Soon after, he entered the U.S. Navy. Upon completing training, he became a medical corpsman and later served in the U.S. Marine Corps. In 1959, he was honorably discharged after three years of service to his country.

James then studied at North Carolina College at Durham from 1959 - 1963, receiving the BS degree in Chemistry. Fifty years later, James was inducted into the NCCU Society of Golden Eagles in 2013. After completing his undergraduate degree, James worked at Duke University in the research laboratory of Dr. Theodore Rosett for a year before entering Howard University College of Dentistry, where he received his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree in 1968. While at Howard University, James became a member of the Kappa Psi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. in 1967. Post graduation from Howard, Dr. Lewis completed a dental internship at The Veterans Administration Hospital in Albany, NY in 1969.  

After completing his internship, Dr. Lewis returned to North Carolina and became the first Black instructor in the Hospital Dental Program at the School of Dentistry at UNC - Chapel Hill and served until 1971. At the same time, he was establishing his own part-time dental practice in downtown Durham. That practice led to the purchase of land at 708 S. Duke St. where he built his own building, still standing today, which housed his permanent Family Dentistry private practice.  

While teaching at UNC - Chapel Hill, Lincoln Community Health Center in Durham was being planned by Dr. Charles Watts. Dr. Lewis was asked by Dr. Watts to come on board as the Director of Dental Services at the Health Center. Dr. Lewis accepted the call, designed the blueprint of the Dental Clinic and the services offered from the ground up. Over the course of nearly 40 years, the clinic evolved and expanded under his leadership and guidance. While serving as Director of Dental Services at Lincoln, Dr. Lewis earned the Master of Public Health (MPH) degree from UNC - Chapel Hill in 1986. 

As a part of his educational journey, The Academy of General Dentistry awarded Dr. Lewis a fellowship in Montreal, Canada in 1977. He was licensed by North Carolina, the District of Columbia, and the National Board of ADA Dental Examiners. He served UNC Dental School as an Adjunct Professor in the Dental Student Extern Program for many years. Several prominent dentists practicing across the country served under the tutelage of Dr. Lewis as part of the Extern Program.

The idea of providing quality services to the underserved population in the Durham community was the driving motivator throughout Dr. Lewis’ career. His presence in the community led to a notable increase in dental encounters for those with limited access to care. Dr. Lewis reluctantly retired in 2011 due to health issues. In 2016, the Auxiliary to the Durham Academy of Medicine, Dentistry & Pharmacy awarded Dr. Lewis the Legacy Award in appreciation for his unselfish dedication and endless devotion toward ending health disparities and inequities.  

Outside of the dental profession, Dr. Lewis was a devoted husband and father who lived a blessed full life despite health limitations due to a stroke in 2010. As he had done all of his life, Dr. Lewis did not allow a challenge to stop him. Trips to The Obama White House and to the National Museum of African American History & Culture in DC, as well as to the mountains and beaches of NC and SC, are just a few examples of how Dr. Lewis continued enjoying life beyond retirement.   

His hearty laugh and baritone voice always took command of the room and continuously brought joy to the hearts of anyone in his presence. His extensive album collection representing a variety of genres truly showcased his love of music. Coming from a family of musicians, he got an early start with music and played trombone in high school, as well as the sousaphone tuba in the North Carolina College Marching Band. As a car enthusiast, it was not uncommon to find James on a car lot any given day. On the weekends, he enjoyed watching golf, especially Tiger Woods.

In addition to his parents, James was preceded in death by two sisters, Doris Ann Lewis and Brenda Carlene Lewis, and four brothers, John Lee Lewis, Richard Waymon Lewis, Bobby Lee Lewis, and Darrell McDermitt “Mack” Lewis.

Dr. Lewis is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Barbara Walker Lewis, three devoted daughters, Krista Lewis, Erica Lewis Bland (Roland), and Angela Lewis, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and loved ones.  

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