The remarkable life of Reginald F. Lewis (“The First Black Business Titan” by Butch Meily, op-ed, Feb. 18) is a testament to the strength of character. They say behind every successful man is a strong woman. That certainly was true with Lewis, but it should be added: a strong family, too.

I grew up with Lewis’s family in Baltimore. Lewis’s younger brother, Jean Fugett Jr., skipped two grades, graduated from Amherst College, made the Dallas Cowboys and became an All-Pro tight end before earning a law degree and joining Lewis...

Tight end Jean Fugett of the Dallas Cowboys at a game in San Diego, Nov. 5, 1972.

Photo: NFL

The remarkable life of Reginald F. Lewis (“The First Black Business Titan” by Butch Meily, op-ed, Feb. 18) is a testament to the strength of character. They say behind every successful man is a strong woman. That certainly was true with Lewis, but it should be added: a strong family, too.

I grew up with Lewis’s family in Baltimore. Lewis’s younger brother, Jean Fugett Jr., skipped two grades, graduated from Amherst College, made the Dallas Cowboys and became an All-Pro tight end before earning a law degree and joining Lewis at TLC.

Lewis’s uncle, Ezra Hill Sr., played center field in the Negro Baseball League in the 1930s, fought in the Battle of Normandy with the U.S. Army, and at 111 is now America’s oldest man. When Gov. Larry Hogan asked Mr. Hill for the secret to his longevity, Mr. Hill replied, “Don’t hate nobody. It’s cool, keep calm.”

Bill Matlack

Blaine, Wash.