Leon Lewis, 88

Leon Brill Lewis, 88, passed away Monday, July 14, 2025, in Sagle, Idaho.

He was born May 8, 1937, to William Devern (Dub) and Bernice Brill Lewis in their home in St. Maries, Idaho. The family moved to Sandpoint two years later. Leon spent six years in Sandpoint around Dub’s bakery on Third Street between Cedar and Alder. Dub then moved north into the countryside (Walmart) to do some farming; then in 1949 bought 311 Oak Street, returning to town to open the “Lewis Electric Bakery.” He was one of four Lewis brothers: Bill, an older brother, and his younger brothers, Dan and Marc.

Leon was gifted athletically and academically. He was a stellar quarterback in football, guard in basketball, and golfer for Sandpoint High School.  He was appointed to the Naval Academy in Annapolis and began his enrollment before realizing he was not suited for regimentation; as it did not fit his personality and enlisted in the regular U.S. Navy. That got Leon a posting to Hawaii and introduced him to his lifelong love of The Islands. 

After his U.S. Navy Hawaiian adventure, Leon returned home and enrolled in the University of Idaho, graduating with a degree in accounting. Home on a holiday break with college buddies at the 219, he met the true love of his life, Claire Hayden, and what a life’s adventure they began. They were married Dec. 27, 1959. After he finished a semester at the University of Hawaii, he returned to Moscow and graduated with his brother, Bill. Their three children, Leisa, Jay, and Susie wove the family fabric that was of paramount importance to Leon, expanding with four grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren.

Employment in Sandpoint of the 1960s was limited in opportunity, so Leon tried his hand at large firm accounting in San Francisco, City policework and life insurance sales in Sandpoint. A fortunate connection with Pack River Lumber Company accounting and Jim Brown engaged his creative, industrious, energetic mind and opened doors to the opportunities of his lifetime. Leon shared in the early days of Schweitzer Basin, the founding of Pack River Properties, several of Jim’s lumber byproduct business ventures, and the development of Twin Lakes Village Golf Course. Leon’s professional life really began with seeing the potential of lighting products from the Twin Lakes project expanding nationwide. Stimulated by the talented young craftsmen around Twin Lakes he formed Idaho Wood Industries in 1975, creating a family lighting manufacturing venture that lasted until 2021.

Leon and Claire had a fine time with the adventures of raising children among family and friends. They built the first residential home at Schweitzer where the kids had the run of the area year-round. Next came Leon’s great country living experience at Echo Springs on 160 acres out on the Sagle Creek Road; where three of his grandchildren were born. During this time, he put the family footprint down on the point of Garfield Bay and that became his beloved home where he passed into the next world.

Leon Lewis had tremendous loyalty to family and friends — he maintained continuous lifelong friendships with classmates. His commitment to his family was loving and strong.

Leon was preceded in death by parents Dub and Bernice; brother Marc.

He is survived by his wife, Claire; two brothers Bill and Dan; three children, Leisa (Don), Jay, and Susie (Steve); his grandchildren, Steven, Teresa (Sean), Kristin (Mike), Rachel (Trevor), Doug (Alissa), and Bryce; his great-grandchildren, Hailey, Caleb, Samantha, Charlotte, Ted, Leah, and Adeline. He lived a full life, with plans to visit Hawaii this October.

Family will celebrate his life from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, at the Sandpoint Elks Club.

Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint is handling the arrangements. Please visit Leon’s online memorial at lakeviewfuneral.com and sign his guest book.