July 13 th, 2004



Hello,

Just a quick update. Nothing really new to report. More transfusions, platelets and plasma. Plasmaphersis was done, dialysis tomorrow and an ultrasound. Tomorrow they might try again to remove the ventilator. The anticipation is unbearable.

Thanks to you all for your telephone messages, emails and offers of help any way you can. It's all appreciated.

Leeanne

Thoughts and prayers are with you.
The Dillon Family

My prayers are with Doug Art

This just in from Leeanne:


Hi Everyone:

Doug remains stable, conscious and pretty alert considering he's still somewhat sedated. The thorax MD said when Doug draining drops to 100cc or below, he'll remove the tube from his lung, after that everything else should come off quickly. The oncology MD said his cancer is being held in check until they can resume chemo, hopefully by the end of this week.

Yesterday I explained to Doug what happened to him and that he's been in ICU for 12 twelve days. Some of his facial expressions were priceless. I can't wait for them to remove the tube from his mouth, his expletives will be too!

That's about it. What a rollercoaster ride the past 3 weeks have been. All the MDs are hopeful about the new chemo treatment. Say lots of prayers and keep your fingers crossed that the new drugs will do the trick.

Leeanne

I have spent the last few nights with him & Leeanne.

They have cutoff some off the drugs to bring him around into a coherent state. He gave somewhat of a response when Leeanne called his name. He would try to open his yes, or move his eyebrows, but he was still very much out of it... With his kidneys not in full operation, it is taking a real long time to come off the drugs. Hopefully they can get him to come around today. Leeanne desparately needs to ask him what he would like to do.
He originally went in for his routine check, and from there, some errors have been made. Unfortunately, because of these errors, Doug has not been able to receive his Kemo in a month. They have been trying to deal with the damage that has occurred.
I am sure Leeanne will get around to the details, and will let you know what took place. As of right now, it is not the cancer that is looking to take Doug away from us.
Because he is still responding, we know his mind is still there fighting.
With that alone, Leeanne had decided to give him the chance to overcome the new obstacles. We know that much about Doug. He would want to fight to the very end, and if there is any last thing to try, he would want that...
He doesn't have the word "quit" in his vocabulary.

God bless you Doug!
We are all here for you.......

I have received confirmation from Leeanne of Doug's passing.

"Doug passed away at 11:05 PM, Tuesday, July 27. After he is cremated a memorial service will be held. I'll let you know the details in a few days.

Thanks for all your encouragement and concern during this time.

Leeanne"

The Offshore Community has lost yet another incredible icon.

Doug has taught me many things over the years.
As often as time allowed, we would work together in the Dyno room. I'd give a hand here and there with rigging, and many years back I would do all his glass work for him. I enjoyed the times working side by side with him. His ideas seemed endless.
The most notable time was when he & I finished the "new design" Cheetah Cat just a few days before the World Championships in Key West, and the boat walked away with the Championship in Stock Class that year.

Doug, I will cherish the times we spent. I am sure you are already rigging a one of the largest Skaters for the "BIG GUY" up in the sky....

God Bless You!

We will meet again......

You will be missed and not forgotten...

As Sharkey noted above, Doug Lewis was a Great Man and an even better friend if You were very Lucky to know Him that way. The information this man obtained in his brain was priceless. I remember thinking up ideas asking Doug about it and him saying "We tried it already". I will never forget the good times shared with Doug for years to come. Some of those memories are just to hard to forget.(some may know of what I mean) I know that around a few minutes after his passing as he ascended to the next realm my Father was sitting there waiting for him with a nice cold cocktail for Doug to enjoy then followed by tales of racing, rigging and so forth.

GOD BLESS DOUG LEWIS, HIS WIFE LEEANNE AND ALL HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS AT THIS TIME OF SORROW!!!!

A viewing will be held on Friday night 7pm to 9pm @

Ely Funeral Home
3316 State Route 33 Neptune, NJ 07753-3441
Phone732) 918-6650.

Here is Doug doing what he loved best:

This is important.

The Memorial Service for Doug will be at 10:00 AM on Saturday August 14th 2004.

This is two weeks from now and will give all who might be traveling a chance to make appropriate plans.

All are welcome to the viewing this Friday as well........

T2x

DOUGLAS K. LEWIS, 51, of TOMS RIVER
Published in the Asbury Park Press 7/29/04

DOUGLAS K. LEWIS, 51, of TOMS RIVER, died Tuesday, July 27, at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune. Born in Biloxi, Miss., he grew up in Woodbury and resided in the Shore area for the past 15 years. He was the owner of Professional Marine Racing of Brick. He was a seven-time World Power Boat Champion. He also owned and operated a shop for race boats in the Persian Gulf for several years.
He was predeceased by his mother, Joan Kramer Lewis. Surviving are his wife, Leeanne Carpenter Lewis; two daughters, Lisa Potter of Woodbury, and Kelley Schemeley of Swedesboro; a son, Daniel P. Lewis of Woodbury; his father, Douglas Harvey Lewis of West Deptford; four grandchildren, BJ, Branden, Taylor, and Brianna; two sisters, Kathleen Ward of Woodbury, and Irene Lewis of Cherry Hill; a brother, William Lewis of Yardville; and many nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours will be from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the Ely Funeral Home, 3316 Route 33, Neptune. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 14, at the Presbyterian Church of Toms River, Hooper Avenue, Toms River. In lieu of flowers, donations to the International Myeloma Foundation, 12650 Riverside Drive, Suite 206, North Hollywood, CA 19607, would be appreciated.