Gerald Alvin Lewis (March 31, 1934 – January 25, 2022) was an American attorney and politician who served in the Florida House of Representatives and was the 26th comptroller of the State of Florida, serving from January 7, 1975, to January 3, 1995.[1]

Gerald A. Lewis
Jerry Lewis, 1975
Florida State Comptroller
In office
January 7, 1975 – January 3, 1995
Personal details
Born(1934-03-31)March 31, 1934
Birmingham, Alabama, U.S.
DiedJanuary 25, 2022(2022-01-25) (aged 87)
Political partyDemocratic
ChildrenPatricia, Bethellen and Susan
Alma materHarvard University
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Army
RankCaptain
UnitParatrooper

Life and career

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Born in 1934 in Birmingham, Alabama, to Bernard and Molly Lewis, Gerald Lewis was educated in Birmingham schools before attending Harvard College and graduating with an A.B. degree in 1955. He then spent the next two years on active duty as a paratrooper with the United States Army, attaining the rank of captain.[1]

Lewis moved to Florida in 1960. Prior to moving, he returned to Harvard to obtain a LL.B degree.[1] He was elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 1965 for Dade County, Florida, and served until 1970. He later served as the state comptroller under governors Reubin Askew, Bob Graham, Bob Martinez, and Lawton Chiles.[2]

Lewis was married to national Democratic Party political strategist Ann Lewis until their 1968 divorce.

Lewis died on January 25, 2022, at the age of 87.[3]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Morris, Allen Covington (1981). The Florida Handbook. Vol. 18. Peninsular Pub. Co.
  2. ^ Ward, Robert L. / Florida House of Representatives (2011). "Membership of the Florida House of Representatives by County, 1845-2012" (PDF). Retrieved December 11, 2011.
  3. ^ Cotterell, Bill (January 25, 2022). "'He faithfully served': Former Florida Comptroller Gerald Lewis dies at 87". Tallahassee Democrat. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
Party political offices
Preceded by
Fred Otis Dickinson
Democratic nominee for Florida Comptroller
1974, 1978, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1994
Succeeded by
Newall Jerome Daughtrey
Military offices
Preceded by Commanding General of Fleet Marine Forces Pacific
1989–1991
Succeeded by