A tribute to my older brother Corwin on his 70th birthday

                                                                        14 August 2017

A TRIBUTE TO CORWIN GLENN LEWIS, MY BIG BROTHER!

It is my pleasure to pay tribute to my big brother on his 70^th birthday and his retirement from decades of devotion to his noble profession as an outstanding accountant.

I’m probably the closest person to Corwin, at least until he married Lynette, as he and I were often seen as inseparable brothers in our growing up years—almost twins. Though 14 months separated us in age, we were only one year apart in school so we shared many of the same friends, played on the same sports teams and spent years engaged in the same interests and activities.

Corwin was the ideal big brother. I’m confident the Lord knew what kind of role model I would need in my growing up years so He sent Corwin as the first boy to arrive in our family. Whatever Corwin liked, I liked. Whatever Corwin did, I did. Whatever Corwin said, I said. Whatever Corwin laughed at, I laughed at. We were not so much inseparable, I was his clone!

And what a blessing that was to me.

Corwin introduced me to the Brooklyn (later L.A.) Dodgers. We were loyal fans together, spending many a night lying on the floor in front of our large radio console in the Ajo home dining room listening to Vin Scully and Jerry Doggett make every Dodger game come alive in our young minds.

When Corwin chose to play the clarinet in the sixth grade band, I took up the clarinet when I entered the sixth grate. Later he switched to saxophone and I switched to alto clarinet.

When Corwin ran for student body treasurer his junior year and student body president his senior year at Ajo High, I clung to his coattails precisely—getting elected, I’m sure, because I was Corwin’s little brother.

When Corwin went to BYU, I followed a year later.

When Corwin went on a mission, I followed 18 months later.  When I left the Language Training Mission for Peru, Corwin—who was serving in the office of the Northern States Mission headquartered in Chicago—arranged to meet me (accompanied by his mission president, no less!) during my layover in Chicago. It would be the only time we would see each other in the four years spanning our missions.  (Yes, I later served in the office of the Andes Mission in Lima, Peru.)

Our parallel—almost identical—paths didn’t end there.

When Corwin got married in the temple to an amazing bride from an amazing family of faith, I followed by praying for and receiving an equally amazing bride from an equally remarkable family rooted deeply in the faith.

Corwin and Lynette wanted a large family, Vivienne and I wanted a large family. Both couples were richly blessed.

While our life paths, including professions, have had their share of differences, once Vivienne and I moved to Oregon in 1989 our mannerisms, interests and, to some extent, even our looks (until his hair started to turn gray and mine bald) began to mirror each other causing a double take for a variety of friends and even family members.

It should come as no surprise that our Church callings have followed an almost identical pattern, too, even though we’ve never lived in the same stake since our youth.

Not long ago we met up for a temple session. Our wives weren’t totally surprised to discover we were wearing identical ties.

Talk about a role model!

My life has been filled with joy because I followed Corwin’s example to happiness.

I will always be grateful for his steadiness in life, never getting flustered or even upset, that I recall.

His kind and gentle nature with children impressed me deeply and helped to temper my own impetuous parenting skill.

Corwin’s love for the Lord and the gospel of Jesus Christ also had an enduring impact on me. Corwin seldom, if ever, judged me, but always stayed the course of gospel faithfulness. It became the lifeline-beam that guided me to my own future of church service.

Corwin is more than my big brother. His footsteps were my footsteps. As we walked our life’s journey together—he a few steps ahead of mine—Corwin never let me down or took me astray. That’s not a role model. That’s a hero!

Happy Birthday, Corwin! Thanks for more than just great memories!

                                                                        With love, respect and admiration,

                                                                        Your little brother Crismon