WEST HAVEN -- The local horse community is mourning the loss of a leader.
Dan Lewis, 71, died Saturday morning. He is believed to have suffered a second heart attack after a smaller one, a week earlier, for which he was taking medication.
He will be especially missed this weekend at a Northern Utah regional competition of the Utah State Western Riding Association in Logan. Lewis had qualified to compete in a host of contests at the two-day show, ranging from reining, one of the slowest events, to individual barrel racing, one of the fastest.
"He was the quiet giant that everyone respects and everyone admires," said Jared Schetselaar of Farmington, who grew up with Lewis' youngest son and remained a family friend for decades.
"He was my hero," Schetselaar said. "He taught me so much about life and horses. He was one of the good guys. ... They don't make them like Dan any more."
Lewis was married to his wife, Sue Anderson Lewis, for 49 years. He served a mission in Eastern Canada for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His mission president was church President Thomas S. Monson. Recently, he had served in the bishopric of his West Haven ward.
He also competed in the Beehive Chariot Racing Association.
Lewis has competed in the Utah State Western Riding Association in the Twin Star Riding Club since he was 15. In those 56 years, he was the winner of the all-around high point men's state title numerous times.
No one knows for sure how many times because he did not share that information, said those interviewed.
Vicky Woodward, a former president of the Utah State Western Riding Association and a neighbor, said she was amazed by Lewis' appreciation and humility as he accepted the top award year after year.
"I asked him what he would like for an award so we could customize it," she said. "He would say, 'Anything is wonderful. I just appreciate the award.' "
Woodward said she never met anyone more gracious or who had more positive things to say.
"He was always 100 percent the country gentleman," she said. "I always loved being around him."
In an article about Lewis that ran in the Standard- Examiner in September 2007, Lewis said he owed his success to those who shared their knowledge with him, including his own father, the late Foss Lewis, of Bountiful.
He said he was continually amazed by the spirit of a horse. "Just like people, you can feel the vibes of their spirit," he said.
"Usually a horse will give you their honest effort unless somebody has destroyed their trust."
Those interviewed said Lewis always gave his honest effort and never drew attention to himself.
Sean Drake, a neighbor and fellow horseman, said the day before he died, Lewis offered to help a neighbor move.
Knowing about his heart condition and the medication he was taking, the neighbor wouldn't allow it, Drake said.
"He was always willing to help and serve," Drake said.
"His willingness to help others is one of the better lessons I got from him."
Family and friends will gather from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. tonight for a viewing at Russon Brothers Bountiful Mortuary, 295 N. Main St., Bountiful, and again Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. at the West Haven Chapel, 3600 S. 2700 West.
Funeral services will follow in West Haven at 1 p.m. Thursday.
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