[1][2] Lewis was born and raised on a ranch in Laredo in Webb County in South Texas.
[3][4] He graduated from what is now Texas A&M International University in Laredo with a Bachelor of Arts in criminal justice.
[4] He is the first American wildcatter to drill in Mexico since former President Lázaro Cárdenas made it illegal for anyone but the Mexican government to do so.
In 2010, British Petroleum began drilling on 80,000 acres of Eagle Ford Shale property that Lewis owns.
[3] He collects World War II-era planes, and he owns 30, including Glacier Girl, which he bought for $10 million.
In August 2014, Lewis was named recipient of the annual Angel of Hope Award for his work in providing Christmas gifts to needy children in Webb County.