'Not only did the state of Indiana lose one of the best people ever, the world did.'

It is difficult to be universally liked as a basketball official (believe me, I’ve yelled at a few).

Kevin Lewis might be the exception.

Lewis, 62, died Friday morning after battling pancreatic cancer. During a 30-year career as an Indiana High School Athletic Association official for basketball, softball, baseball and football, Lewis visited schools all over the state. When news of his passing was shared on social media Friday, there were tributes from many of those coaches, athletic directors, administrators and colleagues Lewis had met over the years.

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Those heartfelt messages were not necessarily about Lewis the official (though he was a good one, working state finals in girls basketball and football). They were about Lewis, the human being. Three weeks ago at the boys basketball state finals, Lewis was in attendance at Gainbridge Fieldhouse to receive the IHSAA commissioner’s Distinguished Service Award, which recognized “individuals who go above and beyond to make significant meritorious contribution or service to education-based high school athletics in the state of Indiana.”

Lewis rose from his wheelchair as he was announced to acknowledge the cheers in one of the most special moments of state finals weekend.

Chad Gilbert, currently the athletic director at Charlestown, wrote on Lewis: “Kevin was an advocate for young people. An ambassador for athletics. But most importantly ‘KLew’ was one of the best friends anyone could ever ask for. Not only did the state of Indiana lose one of the best people ever, the world did.”

Lewis, was student body president at Northeastern High School, where he was also excelled in football and track and field. He played football and ran track in high school at Northeastern (he gradated in 1980) and at Hanover College. After his playing days, Lewis stayed involved in athletics as an official in multiple sports.

As written in his obituary: “Kevin’s own best efforts were one way that he would nurture and encourage everyone he came in contact with. He always made others feel special, whether he was making calls daily to wish a friend a ‘Happy Birthday’ or taking a knee at a ball game to thank the kid that had just handed him some water.”

Hamilton Southeastern basketball John Ashworth shared this message about Lewis on social media: “He was a good referee because of the qualities that made him a good man. He was personable and cared. He always looked out for me as a young coach. I was 25 when I got hired and coached my first varsity game. He never ‘big timed’ me or ever treated me differently. He was always willing to work WITH coaches and not against them. He will be missed.”

Mt. Vernon athletic director Brandon Ecker shared this message: “Those of us that work in the world of education-based athletics knew and loved Kevin Lewis. A long-time official, mentor to new officials, and an even better friend (and fellow Wayne County native), KLew had a tremendous impact on the youth of our state. We lost a legend (Friday) and while we know he is at peace, we now pray for healing for his family. Love you brother!”

Lewis is survived by his wife, Melissa Williams-Lewis, and their stepchildren and grandchildren. Family and friends are invited for a memorial visitation from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday at the Northeastern High School gymnasium. A celebration of life will begin at 3 p.m. At Kevin’s requestion, any memorial gifts will take the form of donations to a scholarship fund in his memory, the Kevin Lewis Presidential Scholarship. Checks should be payable to the Indiana Officials Association with the “Kevin Lewis Scholarship Fund” in the memo. Donors may mail them to the Indiana Officials Association, PO Box 247, Beech Grove, IN 46107.

Call Star reporter Kyle Neddenriep at (317) 444-6649.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Tributes pour in for longtime IHSAA official Kevin Lewis