Michael Alvin Hewes

Michael Alvin Hewes, affectionately known as “Silent Sam” and “Daddy-O,” passed away peacefully at his home in Storrs-Mansfield, Connecticut, on February 28, 2026. His loss leaves a quiet ache in the hearts of all who loved him, but also a deep gratitude for the years they were blessed to share with him.

Michael was one of the last true gentlemen of the Old West, living by the enduring Code of the West with a sincerity that shaped every part of his life. He cherished fine homes and automobiles, caring for them with the same devotion he showed the people he loved. An avid outdoorsman, he found peace in fishing, canoeing, and the simple beauty of nature—places where he felt most himself.

Born with a pioneering spirit in Dodge City, Kansas, Michael carried the strength and grit of his ancestors—Kansas Territory pioneers, Illinois pioneers, and even Founding Father Joseph Hewes—quietly but unmistakably within him. That lineage of bold thinkers stretched even further, connecting him to the inventive brilliance of Orville and Wilbur Wright and the inquisitive mind of Charles Darwin. Their legacy lived on in his courage, his independence, his curiosity about the natural world, and his unwavering sense of honor.

He held a lifelong affection for Old Mexico—its people, its culture, its food—and he embraced it with the same openness and curiosity that defined him. A superior marksman, he spent many years as a federal firearms dealer, always approaching the craft with respect and responsibility.

In 1998, Michael and his wife, Bernice, retired to a peaceful life in Storrs‑Mansfield, where he poured his heart into caring for their home and land. Those who visited could feel the pride he took in every detail, each one a quiet reflection of his character.

Michael’s playful nature was one of his greatest gifts. He had a rare ability to lighten the heaviest moments, teaching family and friends to laugh at life’s challenges and to find joy even in the unexpected. His memory will forever bring warm, knowing smiles to those who were lucky enough to share in his world.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Rex Eugene Hewes (30 Nov 1923 – 23 Mar 1947), Madaline Maxine Byer (24 Sept 1925 – 13 Apr 2009), and LeRoy Charles Addison (23 July 1925 – 1 Jan 2022); his brother, Danny Rex Hewes (21 Sep 1947 – 7 Aug 2014); and his beloved wife, Bernice Delia Lyon (16 Dec 1925 – 4 Jan 2026).

Michael is survived by his siblings, Ricky Hewes, Ritchie Addison, and Deema “JaRue” Addison; his previous spouse, Dorothy Johnson; his children, Michael Hewes and Courtney Hewes; his stepchildren, Todd (Diane) Smith, Garth Smith, and Drake Smith; his grandson, Nicholas Hewes; his great-grandson, Weaver Hewes; and many other relatives and friends who will carry his memory forward with love.

Michael attended grade school in Cimarron and Hugoton, Kansas, and later attended high school at New Mexico Military Institute and Midland High School, graduating in 1963. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Business from Fort Hays State University. Throughout his career, he took great pride in his work with Travelers Insurance, Wang Laboratories, and Blue Ridge Insurance (formerly Republic Insurance). As a pioneering systems analyst, he poured his curiosity and determination into mapping complex business operations into some of the earliest integrated computer systems—leaving behind a legacy shaped not only by his technical brilliance but by the heart he brought to every challenge.

Per Michael’s “no fuss” instructions, no memorial service will be held. However, if you find yourself in the Long Branch Saloon in Dodge City, Kansas, please raise a glass of sarsaparilla to a courageous, industrious, resilient, kind, and generous man. The bond shared with him can never be broken, even by death, and he will be carried in the hearts of those who loved him always.