Independents

Oklahoma Jeweler Glenn Lewis Dies at 68

IndependentsMay 02, 2024

Oklahoma Jeweler Glenn Lewis Dies at 68

The co-founder of Lewis Jewelers was also the longtime mayor of the city of Moore.

Glenn Lewis
Glenn Lewis, who died on Sunday at age 68, is remembered for his impact on the city of Moore, Oklahoma, as a beloved community jeweler and the city’s longest-serving mayor.
Moore, Okla.—Glenn Delbert Lewis, longtime mayor and co-founder of Lewis Jewelers in Moore, Oklahoma, died at the age of 68 on April 28.

He had been experiencing a “lengthy illness,” the family said in his obituary.

Lewis was born July 12, 1955, in Shawnee, Oklahoma, to John Delbert Lewis and Tawana Ruth Richardson Lewis. 

In the summer of 1960, the family moved to Moore, where John built their home.

Lewis graduated from Moore High School, where he was president of his senior class, in 1973. He attended the University of Oklahoma and transferred to the University of Central Oklahoma, where he graduated with a degree in municipal management.

Following an interest in rock hunting, Lewis became a jeweler apprentice at age 16.

In 1976, he opened Lewis Jewelers with his younger brother Tim. Glenn’s business focus was on manufacturing wholesale and retail jewelry, the family said.

Both brothers got their start in the industry cutting and polishing gemstones, according to the store’s website.  

Today, the store is fully integrated from gemstone cutting to designing and manufacturing finished pieces in its own factory, and it has served multiple generations of customers for 45 years. 


After 18 years in the jewelry industry, Lewis was elected the mayor of Moore in 1994. 

He was nicknamed “Mr. Mayor” for his love and commitment to the city, his family said.

U.S. Representative Tom Cole, who has lived in Moore for more than 60 years, has said that Lewis’ time as mayor was "the most consequential in the history of Moore, without question."

It was during Lewis' tenure that the 1999 EF5 tornado struck the city, killing more than 40 people and leaving behind more than $1 billion in damage. 

On a visit to Moore, then-President Bill Clinton called Lewis “the most experienced mayor in dealing with FEMA disasters.”

Lewis was also in office when another tornado hit in 2013, leading to the injuries and deaths of dozens, as well as $2 billion in damage.

Then-President Barack Obama visited the city, and federal emergency responders “followed the city’s lead, rather than the other way around,” The Oklahoman reported.


President Barack Obama and Moore mayor Glenn Lewis
President Barack Obama talking with Glenn Lewis on his visit to Moore, Oklahoma, in May of 2013 (Photo by Bryan Terry, courtesy of The Oklahoman)


In 2021, thanks to a unanimous vote by city councilmembers, Lewis was honored with the renaming of a portion of SW 25 Boulevard—the section near a Costco he helped attract to the area—to Glenn Lewis Boulevard.

After 30 years in office, Lewis, the longest serving mayor in the state, decided last year to not seek reelection, according to local news.

The new mayor Mark Hamm remembers him on the city's official Facebook page, stating that “City Council recently honored [Lewis] with the ‘Key to the City,’ symbolizing the impact he had on the community. Glenn had the key to our hearts.” 

Lewis was preceded in death by his wife of 40 years, Pamela Coulter Lewis.  

He is survived by his daughter, Laura Lewis, and her partner Brendan Schulz; their children, Riley and Daniel; and his brother Timothy J. Lewis and his wife, Julie. 

A visitation took place May 1 at Lynlee Mae Chapel, located at 507 East Main in Moore, and will also be held May 2 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.  

The funeral service will be held May 3 at 1 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Moore, located at 301 NE 27th Street, and interment will follow at Moore City Cemetery at 800 SW 4th Street. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests gifts in Lewis’ memory be made to the Pam and Glenn Lewis Scholarship Fund. 

Those can be mailed to Moore High School Alumni Association, PO Box 7916, Moore, Oklahoma 73153. 

Lauren McLemoreis the associate editor, gemstones at National Jeweler, covering sourcing, pricing and other developments.

The Latest

Sotheby’s New York building
CrimeNov 20, 2024
Sotheby’s to Pay $6.25M Settlement to NY State for Alleged Tax Fraud

The auction house was accused of helping clients avoid paying taxes on millions of dollars’ worth of art purchased from 2010 to 2020.

Kering logo
Events & AwardsNov 20, 2024
Kering Debuts New Jewelry Award With Sustainability Focus

The four finalists will present their pieces at the 2025 JCK Las Vegas show.

Model wearing pieces from Camera Oscura collection
CollectionsNov 20, 2024
Pamela Love Channels Surrealist Artists in New Collection

The “Camera Oscura” collection showcases earring designs celebrating female Surrealist artists Claude Cahun and Leonor Fini.

Jewelers Mutual Group Cybersecurity
Brought to you by
Navigating Cybersecurity: Essential Guidance for Jewelers

From protecting customer data to safeguarding inventory records, it's crucial to learn how to tackle cybersecurity challenges.

Columbia Gem House “Pebbles to Pines” fundraiser
Policies & IssuesNov 20, 2024
Columbia Gem House Raises $10K for Reforestation Efforts

The money will fund the planting of 10,000 trees in critical areas across Oregon, Arizona, Montana, and other regions.

Weekly QuizNov 14, 2024
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
The jewelry symposium 2025
Events & AwardsNov 20, 2024
The Jewelry Symposium Opens Registration, Scholarship Applications

The event centered on advancing jewelry manufacturing technology will return to Detroit in May 2025.

Stock image of police cars with lights on
CrimeNov 19, 2024
Woman Killed in Armed Robbery of Sacramento Jewelry Store

Local reports identified the woman as the wife of the jewelry store owner.

Article-Top-Image.jpg
Brought to you by
Enhance Your Expertise with IGI’s In-Person Courses in NYC

This fall, sharpen your skills in jewelry grading, quality control and diamond assessment.

Tsar Ferdinand I Bulgaria colored diamond pin and emerald diamond ring
AuctionsNov 19, 2024
‘A Tsar’s Treasure’ Fetches $2.9M at Sotheby’s Jewelry Sale

A collection of pieces owned by Ferdinand I, the first king of modern Bulgaria, and his family, blew away estimates in Geneva last week.

Trove NYC flagship exterior
MajorsNov 19, 2024
Trove Opens First US Flagship in NYC

The Australian jewelry box brand’s new West Village store will showcase new jewelers each month through its Designer in Residence program.

Snoop Dogg and Carolyn Rafaelian
CollectionsNov 19, 2024
Snoop Dogg’s New Jewelry Collection Is All About Love

“Lovechild” was created in partnership with Carolyn Rafaelian’s Metal Alchemist brand.

Helzberg CEO Brad Hampton
EditorsNov 18, 2024
Q&A: Helzberg CEO Brad Hampton on the Jeweler’s Rebrand

Hampton discussed how Helzberg is improving the customer experience and why it was inspired by the company formerly known as Dunkin’ Donuts.

Andrea Jose jewelry
Policies & IssuesNov 18, 2024
Reciprocity Jewels Returns to NYC Jewelry Week

The group will host several curated events and an exhibition of designer jewelry made with Peruvian gold traceable to the miners’ names.

Dolly Parton and Kendra Scott
CollectionsNov 18, 2024
Dolly Parton Shines in Collaboration with Kendra Scott

The collection honors the 50th anniversary of Dolly Parton’s “Love is Like a Butterfly” song, which shares a birth year with Kendra Scott.

IGI Expressions
Events & AwardsNov 18, 2024
IGI Jewelry Design Competition Returns

This year’s theme asks designers to take inspiration from classic fairy tales.

New York Comic Con Javits Center crowd
EditorsNov 15, 2024
Why Fine Jewelry Belongs at New York Comic Con

Senior Editor Lenore Fedow makes the case for why more jewelers should be appealing to nerds at the annual event.

Marie Lichtenberg and Raiz’in collection
CollectionsNov 15, 2024
Marie Lichtenberg Battles Counterfeits with New ‘Raiz’in Scapular’ Designs

The latest “Raiz’in” drop showcases a newly designed “Scapular” necklace and donates a portion of the proceeds to Make-A-Wish France.

Citizen 100th Anniversary Limited Edition #1 Pocket Watch
WatchesNov 15, 2024
Piece of the Week: Citizen’s Commemorative Pocket Watch

No. 1 out of 100, the timepiece was created to mark Citizen’s 100th anniversary and will be auctioned off at Sotheby’s next month.

My Next Question store security episode
Recorded WebinarsNov 15, 2024
Watch: 10 Tips to Keep Your Jewelry Store Secure

On the latest episode of “My Next Question,” two experts share best practices for store security during the holidays and year-round.

18th century diamond necklace
AuctionsNov 14, 2024
18th-Century Diamond Necklace Sells for Nearly $5M

Sotheby’s sold the necklace, which potentially has ties to Marie-Antoinette, for $4.8 million to a woman bidding via phone.

Saks Fifth Avenue Holiday Window
MajorsNov 14, 2024
Saks Fifth Avenue Cancels Holiday Light Display

Instead of its usual elaborate display, the store will illuminate its façade and frame the windows to highlight its flagship’s architecture.

Grand Seiko store in Honolulu Hawaii
WatchesNov 14, 2024
Grand Seiko Partners With Ben Bridge on First Hawaii Store

The new Grand Seiko boutique is located in Honolulu’s Waikiki neighborhood.

Travelers on Gem Legacy Adventures Trip
SourcingNov 13, 2024
Gem Legacy Adventures Announces 2025 Trip

Eleven spots are available for travelers to visit Northern Tanzania and Southern Kenya from July 25 to Aug. 4.

Aga Khan Emerald
AuctionsNov 13, 2024
Aga Khan Emerald Sells for $8.8M, Sets Record

The emerald brooch-turned-pendant returned to auction after 55 years, setting a world record for most expensive emerald sold at auction.

17.97-carat Burmese ruby ring with pear-shaped diamonds
AuctionsNov 13, 2024
‘Exceptional’ Burmese Ruby Ring Tops $5M at Auction

Phillips also sold a 1.21-carat fancy red diamond dubbed the “Red Miracle” for more than $1 million at its jewelry auction in Geneva.

Ariana Grande and Anya Taylor-Joy
MajorsNov 13, 2024
Ariana Grande, Anya Taylor-Joy Star in Holiday Jewelry Campaigns

From Swarovski to Tiffany & Co., jewelry retailers are enlisting celebrities to highlight their holiday offerings.

2024-2025 Royal Chain Catalog
MajorsNov 13, 2024
Royal Chain’s New Catalog Is Out Now

The 2024-2025 book introduces hundreds of new designs.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy