Jack Lewis

Business

Jack Lewis was born on February 10, 1041 in French Camp, California, a second-generation immigrant. He was a resident of Manteca for his entire life. After his father died when Jack was seventeen, he continued operating the dairy until the dairy cows were sold and his mother remarried. These challenges instilled the work ethic he carried on the rest of his life. In high school, Jack participated on the football, track and wrestling teams. He excelled in wrestling, lettering all four years. He was the Sac-Joaquin Section wrestling champion in his weight class and medaled numerous times. Jack Graduated from Manteca High School in 1958. Jack continued farming while working night shifts during eh winter for three successive years at Fibreboard, Mohawk Tire Company and American Can Company. In 1964, he became a tile-setter, commuting daily to Bay Cities Tile in Stockton. In 1975, he passed the state exam to become a licensed ceramic tile contractor and established Lewis Tile Company, Inc., becoming president. Jack hired and trained many young men in the ceramic tile profession. Several of his former employees have gone on to start businesses of their own. He owned and operated this successful business for 32 years until he was forced to retire in 2007 due to health. Jack donated the entire job for the St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway for several years as a subcontractor. The proceeds for the St. Jude Dream Home raffle benefit St. Jude Children Research Hospital. St. Anthony’s Catholic School was another beneficiary of remodeling projects. He was very generous with his employees giving yearly bonuses and helping them out in difficult situations.