Dates

• Existence: 1902 - 1975

Biographical History

George K. (Georkee) Lewis (1902-1975) was a professional stereoscopic photographer.

George K. Lewis was born in Mesa, Arizona in 1902. After he had finished his public schooling, he was sent for two years at age 16 as a proselytizing missionary for his church into the states of Montana and Washington. Upon his return he enrolled at Brigham Young University. He became the activity photographer for the student body. A second hobby was raising two cougars (the school mascots) which had been captured as cubs in the Grand Canyon area and which he "handled" long after they reached maturity.

G. E. Hamilton, Vice President of Keystone View Company became well acquainted with George and hired him as a photographer for the company in August, 1929. As a boy, his relatives called him George K. to differentiate him from his father George W. This name evolved to the nickname "Georkee" by which everyone knew him until his move to the job with Keystone. George subsequently traveled to many areas of the world, adding thousands of views to the library of Keystone.

In the 1930s George developed bone cancer and had a leg amputated. This forced him toward more sedentary activities. He became a principal in the Three Dimension Coin company of Chicago. In the early 1950s, George retired to his ranch in a remote canyon of southern Utah, contiguous to Zion National Park. He died in 1975.

Citation:

FamilySearch, December 16, 2014: Georkee Lewis (b. Mesa, Arizona, 1902; mission in Montana and Washington; enrolled at Brigham Young University; activity photographer for BYU student body; raised two cougars; hired by G. E. Hamilton in August 1929; nickname "Georkee;" traveled the world; developed bone cancer; principle of Three Dimension Coin company; retired in 1950s; d. 1975.)

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