Lewis Sterling Fort's Obituary
Lewis Sterling Fort was born on February 24, 1945, in Nashville, Tennessee, the eldest of two sons to Helen Lucille Thomas Fort and James Lewis Fort. Raised in North Nashville’s Haynes Heights neighborhood, Lewis and his younger brother, Willie, spent their childhood playing basketball, shooting marbles, and forging lifelong friendships. He attended local parochial schools and graduated from Father Ryan Catholic High School for Boys in 1963. He later pursued a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Tennessee State University, graduating in 1967. Lewis grew up with his Catholic faith as a strong foundation in his life.
A significant part of Lewis’s upbringing was shaped by weekends and summers spent at his grandmother, Willie Mae Thomas’s 55-acre dairy farm. It was there that he developed a deep appreciation for nature and learned the value of hard work. Whether cutting wood, milking cows, feeding chickens and hogs, hunting, or driving the ’47 Chevy pickup truck by the age of twelve, Lewis embraced every task with enthusiasm. His curiosity about building, construction, and engineering was further nurtured by his late uncle, Napoleon Johnson, who was the Dean of Engineering at Tennessee State University. Lewis's life took a new direction in 1968 when he entered the U.S. Air Force as a Second Lieutenant. During his service, he lived in Texas, California, and Florida, and volunteered to serve in Vietnam as a Weapons Controller Instructor. There, he supervised a crew of 20 Weapon Controllers and Technicians. He rose to the rank of Captain, earning the Bronze Star with Valor, and was honorably discharged in 1971. In 1972, Lewis moved to Memphis, Tennessee, to begin his career with General Electric. It was in Memphis that years later he met Gloria Sangster-Fort, the love of his life, whom he married in 1985. Their marriage was blessed with the birth of their son, Lewis Sangster Fort, in 1988. The Fort family enjoyed years of happiness, traveling extensively throughout North America, Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean. After retiring, Lewis found joy in the simple pleasures of life. He and Gloria took daily long walks in their rural Mississippi neighborhood or along the beach in Destin, Florida. Lewis also enjoyed feeding wildlife at neighborhood lakes, attending Mass, and volunteering at the St. Patrick’s Food Pantry. Professionally, Lewis was known as a highly organized and effective leader. His 35+ year career was marked by significant achievements, including serving as Operational VP at Regional One Health, Divisional Director of General Services for the City of Memphis, and as the owner of Fort Associates, a regional consulting firm specializing in Small and Minority Business Development. He also founded Forcom, a Memphis-based construction company. Lewis’s dedication to his community was evident in his extensive civic involvement. He volunteered on numerous boards, including the Memphis Bioworks Foundation, Agricenter International, Kiwanis Club, CrimeStoppers of Memphis and Shelby County, Memphis & Shelby County Land Use Control Board, Economic Club of Memphis, Memphis Arts Council, and the American Society of Healthcare & Civil Engineers. Those who knew Lewis remember him as a man who loved to laugh, share a good joke, and enjoy an evening gin and tonic with a slice of lime. His warmth, humor, and generosity left an indelible mark on everyone he met. Lewis is survived by his brother, Willie F. Fort (Patti Rutske); cousin, Carolyn Edwards; in-laws Otis A. Sangster Jr., Gracie Maxine Swift, and Jerry Roberts; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cherished friends. Special thanks are extended to the Memphis VA, Allen Morgan Rehabilitation, Erica and Richard Calhoun, Godson and wife, Antonio & Kimberly Taylor and his guardian angel, Jason Saenger. Lewis lived a life full of love, laughter, and service. He will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.
In lieu of flowers, please donate in memory of Lewis S. Fort. M:
St. Patrick Catholic Church
Food Pantry
277 So. Fourth Street
Memphis TN 38126
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