J. Grant Lewis
12/19/79 --- 01/17/06
Dearly loved son of Jerry and Linda Lewis
Devoted brother to Blake, Ashton, MaKayla and Kym
Sadly missed friend to many
“If we could reach up and grab a star for every time you made us smile, we would soon be holding the entire Universe in the palm of our hands”
Grant Lewis was born on December 19, 1979 at Rolla, Missouri and died on January 17, 2006 at his parents’ home in Licking, Missouri making his years of life, 26 years and 29 days.
Grant was born with the hereditary, genetic bleeding disorder, hemophilia. In 1982, at the age of 2, Grant required the use of factor concentrate to treat a non-life threatening bleeding episode. Factor concentrate was/is made of components of human blood that replaces what his body lacked in order for his blood to clot normally when injured. Little did we know that the very medicine that was to used to treat his condition would be what would too soon, lead to his early death. The factor concentrate was infected with HIV, the virus that leads to AIDS.
Grant, at the age of 2, along with approximately 10,000 other people with hemophilia in the United States, was now HIV positive.
At the age of 11, Grant took on the responsibility of teaching others about HIV/AIDS, a job that most adults would not attempt. He told his story about living with the disease and how it affected not only his life, but that of his family and friends’. He taught people about compassion, love, understanding and how to stay safe from the disease. By the age of 13, Grant had become a national spokesperson and an icon for “The Face of AIDS” in America, reaching out to schools, universities, churches, business and communities. He was a featured guest on Phil Donahue, Montel Williams, Maury Povich and Jenny Jones shows, was highlighted in an ESPN special with Magic Johnson and Greg Louganis and in the CBS documentary movie, “Angelie’s Secret”.
Grant was just a normal kid from a small rural town in Missouri, but a kid with a mission from God. He never complained, cursed God or worried about his life. but instead, said many times over, “God wanted me to have something and I have to do the best I can with it”. He learned at an early age to accept what life gives you, good and bad, and to make the best of it. He lived his life as if each tomorrow would be his last, never looking back. Grant made friends easily and these friendships and his family were his life. He loved everyone so much, as they did him. He never asked for pity or a shoulder to cry on but always had an arm around those he loved to both give and take support.
Growing up, Grant loved baseball (especially his home team, the St Louis Cardinals), Nascar, football, playing golf, playing poker with his friends, an occasional stiff drink of Crown Royal, Marlboro Lights, his 2003 M3 BMW and life. His friends, family and his girlfriend Anne, were the most important.
Grant was quick witted, mischievous, sassy, loved to argue, and had the most sincere, contagious laugh you had ever heard. He was a devoted Republican and had a strong connection to religion and God.
Grant’s eyes were a gentle, loving, sparkling blue and his lips were plump and red. He was loved and adored by girls, girls and more girls.
Sadly, in the late fall of 2005, Grant contracted a virus in his brain that quickly debilitated him and led to his death 3 months later, shortly after his 26th birthday. Even in his last few days, his love and courage rose above his friends and family. He shared every moment of these days, from the pain and frustration, to the angels that were standing guard by his side.
Grant’s love and zest for life will never be forgotten, by those who knew him life long and even the ones who had only made a brief encounter with him. Our earth lost a very special, unique, brave, honest person when Grant Lewis left, but he left all of us with a new focus for life and many, many beautiful memories.
Grant,
Your mission here on earth was accomplished and you did it well. You saved many lives through yours and left pictures of hope, love and compassion etched in the minds of thousands. I am so proud to have been a part of God’s plan on your journey. May you rest in the arms of Jesus until I can again hold you in mine.
Love,
Mom
Grant's nomination for the National Minority AIDS Council's 2006 Unsung Hero Award
Jerry Grant Lewis, Volunteer, AIDS Project of the Ozarks
Nominating Party: Lynne L. Meyerkord, MSW, AIDS Project of the Ozarks
I first met Grant when he was 11 years old. He was cutting the ribbon at the opening of our Ryan White Title III EIS clinic in Springfield, MO. Here were all these state and local dignitaries in their suits...and Grant in his baseball cap and letter jacket.
He seemed like a regular kid, and he was, except that he had AIDS. From a very young age, Grant was thrust into a very grown-up cause...that of AIDS education and activism. Reluctantly, he became a celebrity when local schools refused to play basketball against
his team after discovering he was HIV positive. Being a team player, he voluntarily removed himself from playing and became the manager. Grant Lewis was born in 1979 with hemophilia and contracted the HIV virus in 1982 (at the age or two) through contaminated blood products.
At the age of 11, Grant began speaking out about living with HIV, educating people of all ages about the disease. By the age of 13, Grant was a national spokesperson, endlessly traveling to schools, churches and businesses across the nation. In 1994, he was a member of
Camp Heartland's Journey of Hope AIDS Awareness Bus Tour. At the age of 14, Grant became active in the politics of both HIV and hemophilia. He spoke at a senate hearing regarding Ryan White funding and testified at Institute of Medicine hearings to ensure safety for our nation's
blood supply. In 1993, he began clinical research trials at the National Institues of Health and was a forerunner in medicines and treatment for adolescents. It was in one of these trials that he was elected to be the first adolescent in the world to introduce a protease inhibitor
into his body. Grant was from rural Missouri and loved the small town life.
In Every Heart
In every heart you touched,
In every life you changed,
In every thought you inspired,
Your love lives on
Your voice still echoes,
Your life still inspires,
Your light still shines,
And it always will
-Patsy Gaut-
"Grant and I met in the fourth grade. He was one of the best friends anyone could ask for.....I am a better person today from knowing Grant and his family. Through knowing him I have become a more broad-minded and open-minded person and I will pass this down to my children."
Mindy (Moynahan) Kelley, Germany
Long time friend & Classmate
"I was blessed to have been given the chance to meet one of the bravest and funniest people ever. Grant was a true breath of fresh air....You made so many people want to be better people"
Hesper Hance, Missouri
HS Friend
"Grant possessed a small town persona that was honest and straight-forward; what you saw was what you got, no smoke and mirrors, no false pretenses; just Grant Lewis from Licking, Missouri....Grant became a young man with a mission and those of us who knew him can proudly state, without hesitation, MISSION ACCOMPLISHED....This wonderful and charismatic and strong young man had impact and influence well beyond his years....in fact, it is not possible to guage his effects in terms of his 26 years of life....but through it all, he lived and continued to be, Grant Lewis from Licking, Missouri, a young man with AIDS who chose to make a difference"
Corey S. Dubin, California
President, Committee of Ten Thousand
"Grant was a teacher who wanted to make a difference in this world, and he did. Through each of us, he can continue to do so....I believe what mattered most to Grant was that we learned from his life, that we will continue to learn from his passing, and that each of us will take those lessons and become teachers ourselves, continuing to plant the seeds he left for us"
Angie Hendrickson, Wisconsin
Mother to Brandon, Another Fallen Brother with Hemophilia
"I have always admired you Grant for several reasons and I want to thank you for making my life better. I loved and appreciated you so much for teaching me to live life to the fullest in spite of whatever circumstances we are handed. You are a true example of what it means "TO SHINE"
Jackie (Ross) Douglas, Missouri
Friend and Camp Heartland Co-Counselor
"Grant was a fighter with spirit, a spirit that kept him going no matter what the adversity and helped him cope with all that he couldn't control. His energy lit up a room and he used that energy to educate thousands of people"
Drs Lori Wiener & Lauren Wood, Maryland
National Institutes of Healthe Pediatric Unit
"Grant was a devoted and true friend with whom laughter came easily. His smile, generosity of spirit and zest for life will be his lasting legacy. Camp Heartland is emptier today as a result of his loss, but I will still hear his laughter for decades to come"
Neil Willenson, Wisconsin
Founder/CEO Camp Heartland
"When I think of Grant I try to picture what would happen if I looked up his name in Webster's Dictionary. Surely this would be what it would read: Determined, stubborn, vivaciouis, kind, wild at times, happy-go-lucky, carefree, devoted, loving, strong, out-going, thankful"
Jan Hamilton, Louisiana
Program Director, Hemophilia Federation of America
"May his imprint always be with those who knew him and loved him and his story be told to remain in the memory of those who were not fortunate enough to have met him"
Melissa (Johnson) Orlando, Missouri
Long time friend & Classmate
"Grant is truly a hero and because of him, many people with AIDS and hemophilia associated AIDS are living. His pioneering in clinical trials, his endurance, and his message to those young people needing to implore wisdom in avoiding transacting AIDS is a legacy in its own"
Dana Kuhn, Virginia
Friend & Fellow Hemophilia Brother
"From the first time I met Grant, I knew he was special. Not only was he articulate and bright, but seemed wise beyond his years. His kind, yet fiesty way made him instantly likeable, and to a reporter listening to him openly discuss the fate he was handed, he quickly became a person I admired and respected"
Leanne Gregg, Colorado
NBC Freelance News Reporter
"One of my fondest memories will be Grant's mischievous eyes and that brilliant smile....surely he was sent to inspire us"
Denise Maloney, New York
Friend
"Grant was not only a blessing, but he affected my life in more ways than one. He taught me it was okay to laugh even though he had AIDS....I remember smoking my first cigar with him. We were at the Drake Hotel in New York City and he told me to "loosen up" and that I should enjoy life....he certainly was an instrumental person in shaping my life and attitudes. He made me smile, he made me cry and more importantly, he made me love and learn how to forgive"
Lindsey Morgan Tracy, Colorado
Friend and Camp Heartland Counselor
"Grant was a fine young man. I watched him grow up fighting for the rights and recognition of the hemophilia community affected by AIDS. He was a special young man, respected by everyone who met him"
Karen Cross, Louisiana
Hemophilia Community Friend and mother to Brad Cross
"You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience
in which you stop to look fear in the face. You must do the
the thing which you think you cannot do"
-Eleanor Roosevelt-
