Former Sooner captain Gilmer Lewis dies

TULSA — Lewis, an All-Big Seven tackle who was captain of the 1959 Oklahoma football team, died Monday. He was 71.

"Gilmer Lewis was one of those special guys,” said Jakie Sandifer, a teammate of Lewis’ in 1957-58.

"Driving by the stadium yesterday, I thought of Gilmer, what a good guy he was. Just a damn good guy. He was a cut above.

"Quiet guy. Minded his own business. Hell of a football player.”

Lewis was born and raised in Wichita Falls, Texas. He played for the Sooners from 1957-59 and was one of the players infamously taken ill after eating at Chicago’s Chez Paree club two nights before the 1959 Northwestern game.

Services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday in the Rose Chapel of Boston Avenue United Methodist Church. A reception will follow the funeral.

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