Brian Lewis

Brian Lewis of Traverse City, Michigan, passed away on Monday, September 1, 2025, in Houston, Texas, surrounded by his family after a courageous battle with cancer. He was 65. Born in Detroit on May 19, 1960, to Edward and Jean Lewis, Brian grew up in Chelsea, Michigan, with his brothers Jon and Steven. In high school he discovered a lifelong love of golf, learning the game alongside his mother. After graduating from Chelsea High School, he attended Grand Valley State University, earning a bachelor's degree in Forestry & Natural Resource Management and Business. While there, he co-founded and co-captained the university’s ultimate frisbee team, leading it to regional and national success. An athlete at heart, Brian continued to pursue tennis, running, and triathlons after college. During his years in Grand Haven, he discovered his true professional passion—publishing. With his father, Ed, he purchased C.K. Smoley & Sons, where Brian served as president. The pair later founded Lewis Publishers in Chelsea, joined by Brian’s brother Jon. After the company’s sale to Times Mirror, Brian’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to create Sleeping Bear Press, which became renowned for scientific works, children’s literature, sports writing, and especially golf titles. Under his leadership, Sleeping Bear Press earned a reputation as the world’s leading golf publisher while also working with sports legends such as Kirk Gibson and Bo Schembechler. While at Lewis Publishers, Brian met the love of his life, Anne. They married on July 19, 1986, and built a family together—four children who shared their parents’ zest for the outdoors. Summers were filled with windsurfing, tennis, cycling, and golf. Eventually the family settled in Traverse City, where Brian continued publishing and remained deeply involved in the golf community. On the Old Mission Peninsula, he found joy in long swims, challenging bike rides, hikes, and golf with Anne and the kids, and evenings around a bonfire on their deck overlooking the Caribbean like waters of East Bay. Above all, Brian cherished time with family. Brian is survived by Anne, his wife of 39 years; their children Caitlin, Matthew (Laura), Patrick (Taylor), and Cameron; his brother Jon; and his beloved granddaughter, Isla. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ed and Jean, and his brother Steven. A memorial service will be held Saturday, September 27, 2025, from 10:00 to 11:15 a.m. at Bay Meadows Golf Course in Traverse City (5550 Bay Meadows Dr, Traverse City, MI 49684). Burial will follow at 12:15 p.m. at Peninsula Township Cemetery (15318 Peninsula Dr, Traverse City, MI 49686). Friends are invited to visit with the family at 1:15 p.m. at the Lewis home (7787 East Shore Rd, Traverse City). In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Traverse City Junior Golf Association at https://www.tcjga.com/give/brian-lewis.html.

Brian Lewis

May 19, 1960 - September 1, 2025