Scott Lewis

Scott Lewis, 66, of Austin, passed away suddenly Tuesday evening, September 6, 2016, after a courageous battle with bladder cancer. Scott was born on April 10, 1950, in Little Rock, Arkansas and grew up in the small town of Hereford, Texas. Everyone, including Scott, knew he was highly intelligent from a young age. It didn’t take long for him to realize that hot days on a tractor in the Texas Panhandle weren’t for him. After graduation, he moved to Fort Worth and attended Texas Christian University, where he earned his undergraduate degree in History and Philosophy. From TCU, he moved to Austin, where he attended the University of Texas. Missing only his dissertation for his PhD in Botany, he received a Masters instead.

Scott began his early career with Radian Corporation as a chemist, where he did particle analysis on emissions from coal gasification plants. After five years with Radian, Scott purchased a 286 PC from Michael Dell’s PC’s Limited and ventured out on his own. Scott was a pioneer in the early days of multimedia, working with Video Associate Laboratories and then as contractor doing in-depth technical editing on standards for the IEEE and the Department of Defense.

However, his true passion and dedication was Aviculture. It started with a couple of margaritas with his wife, Linda at El Rancho Restaurant after which they bought their first African Grey parrot. From there it blossomed into a full operation; together, they raised and cared for over 20 different species and over 75 pairs of parrots in their backyard in East Austin. He could often be found, in in the late night hours, diligently hand feeding baby parrots in the Nursery out back.

Scott contributed to the Avian Community tremendously; he always found time to share his knowledge and insight with prospective pet owners about the pros and cons of each species, he moderated a world-wide email list for professional bird breeders, and was always a plethora of information for anyone calling with troubles or concerns about their pet parrot.

He loved all of his Facebook friends that he kept amused with his pictures of bizarre and rare critters of all kinds and his off-color comments.

Scott was a classic curmudgeon with a wicked sense of humor, but he had a heart of gold. He especially possessed a huge soft spot for animals of all kinds and once spent $100 on a vet bill for a two-dollar sick chicken.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Margaret Denson and father, Doug Lewis.

Left to mourn his passing are his wife of 37 years, Linda; two sons, Matt Lewis and Josh Hausladen and his wife Jamie; four granddaughters, Gracie, Alyson, Hannah, and Sophia; brother, Mark Denson and wife Elaine of Brenham.

Family encourages donations to be made, in his honor, to the American Federation of Aviculture, Scott & White Hospice, or the American Cancer Society.

Family will gather for a Graveside Service at Elgin Cemetery, Tuesday, April 1st at 10:00 AM