The clock ticked by effortlessly. Over a thousand people stood by and quietly honored a student, father, fiancée, athlete and son. A man who was known for having only one thing bigger than his 260 pound, 6 feet 8 inches tall, sturdy, fast frame: his heart.

Those that speak of Lewis talk positively. In math, reducing a fraction to the lowest common dominator is referred to as finding the true number. Lewis’ common denominator was his smile and caring attitude, according to those who knew him.

Lewis was much the same as all kids, except that he stood a towering 6 feet 8 inches tall. He was a little out of shape for a basketball player at over 260 pounds, but once basketball Head Coach Rodney Watson got to know Lewis, he said he was blown away.

“The first time we ran the timed mile, he’s over 260 pounds and he ran it in 6 minutes and 15 seconds. It was incredible,” Watson said. “He was running on heart. It was tremendous.”

Lewis was a very athletic player and the same drive he had that day for the timed mile carried over into his work ethic on and off the court. Coming into his first year at USI, Lewis had to pass six hours in the summer to be eligible, and he got done what he needed to get done.

Senior Brandon Hogg reflected on how much Lewis cared about his teammates and his work ethic by talking about drills the team ran in practice. The team would run sprints across the gym. If the last player was not across the line by a certain time, they would all have to run again.

Lewis, being a bigger guy, would often struggle. Because he would always be so close to making his teammates run again, he would often dive across the line to ensure they didn’t have to.

“He was a horse on the court,” Hogg said.

To his teammates, Lewis was seen unlike any could imagine.

“He was like a big brother. He would take you under his wing and show you what needed to be done,” Hogg said.

Senior Kevin Gant was roommates with Lewis and as a result had a close personal relationship with him.

“He was always a happy guy, he never took things too serious,” Gant said. “He knew though when to get work done.”

Although Lewis was most well known for his actions on the court, the memory Watson recalled the most about him was the dedication to his family and helping those in need.

Lewis walked into Watson’s office and sat down to talk with him one day. Watson recalled the event with clarity.

“Jeron was an athletic guy and a good basketball player,” Watson said. “He was selfless on the court and could have gone overseas to play.”

When Watson told him this, Lewis’ reply was surprising to him.

“He said that he wanted to graduate, move back to Fort Wayne and live with his family. To work at the boys and girls club and help kids in need,” Watson said. “I was totally blown away. When he left my office I knew that he got ‘it’ and better than I would ever understand. “

Lewis left a lasting impression on those he came into contact with. He isn’t gone because he is remembered.

Immortality is an enigma. Ponce De Leon searched for the fountain of youth in Florida. Shakespeare believed immortality could be reached by placing someone in the lines of a poem.

Maybe true immortality is reached by the ability of others to remember one in a positive, loving light.

To his teammates, family and the PAC community, number 40 will always be remembered. He will be remembered for his wide smile, his big body and his giant heart.