Tributes have been paid to a ‘little genius’ who was brimming with facts and knowledge on everything from the solar system to wars and Empire and maths following his tragic death this month aged just 10.
Lewis Dauncey-Jones passed away following a seizure on July 8. The youngster had suffered seizures for the past two years but a diagnosis of the cause had not been reached.
The St Peter’s Junior School pupil, who was on the autistic spectrum, was incredibly intelligent, excelling beyond GCSE level in maths, science, history and geography and having a huge knowledge of the solar system and Space.
His understanding of Space was so great that, aged six, he even corrected a university professor connected to NASA about the number of moons Jupiter had.
Mum Cara Jones said: “The professor said there were 79 moons for Jupiter. Lewis put up his hand and said ‘I do not mean to be rude but NASA has discovered four more moons.’
“The professor went to check and came back and apologised, Lewis was right.
“His love for the solar system transferred to history – empires and wars going back hundreds of years- and geography.
“I am just so proud of him.”
Lewis’s sister Charlotte Ünlü, 29, said her little brother’s history knowledge was also amazing. She said: “He had a lot of knowledge, especially about the Second World War, all the names and dates.
“While Lewis was at school me and mum had gone shopping and I picked up a GCSE history book from a charity shop. I said to Lewis about it, how it was at a really high level just before A Levels and university, and I started reading him a couple of paragraphs and he was finishing my sentences and telling me further facts.”
Lewis, who wanted to be a computer programmer, had even written a programme with a schoolfriend which was used by NASA during a live link with the Space Station while it travelled over Argentina.
The youngster also did a 3pm fact of the day every day for his class.
Charlotte, who now lives in Turkey with her husband, said: “Because Lewis was on the autistic spectrum he was struggling a bit at school because he was way over his age range in some respects. So, to try and coax him, the teachers introduced Lewis’s 3pm fact of the day.
“He would get to say a fact of the day on topics they were learning but he always would go off topic and want to blurt out what he knew. He was so full of facts the teachers would have to go off and google it to make sure it was correct and every time he was right.”
Cara added: “Many parents have said in the aftermath that Lewis’s facts had made their child go home and research it and that makes me proud.”
Lewis, who could name every flag in the world and correctly spell all the countries they came from, was also a kind and loving boy who would say hello to everyone, ask after people’s pets and once took the time to point out the adapted swing at a park when he noticed a family with a youngster in a wheelchair.
Former dental receptionist Cara said: “He was very loving and affectionate and always had lots of hugs and love for me. Many times he would say he loved me and I would say it back to him.”
Sadly, Lewis’s dad Tim died of a heart attack last year and after this the severity of the youngster’s seizures increased. He also had an avoidant food disorder – not related to the seizures – which meant he had to come home every day for his lunch.
Cara said: “Lewis was trying to come to terms with his grief for his father. He had gone through a lot in the prior six months especially with his health issues.”
Charlotte said: “Lewis had been having seizures for a couple of years, it was something that had not been fully diagnosed and he had many times been blue-lighted to hospital but on that day he had one and never came out of it.”
Cara and Charlotte have thanked St Peter’s Juniors, especially Lewis’s teachers and his classmates, who they say have “been amazing.”
The school made a photo collage album which all Lewis’s classmates wrote in and drew a picture to remember their friend which was then given to Cara.
A tribute from the school said Lewis was “a bright star forever in our hearts.”
A special note from classmates in 5NB remembered Lewis’s laughter and jokes and kindness, saying: “Not everyone was lucky enough to know Lewis like we did in our class, so 5NB would like to share more about Lewis. These are the things we want everyone to remember him for:
- His maths and science genius- being the only one in the class who reached Emerald level on the times table challenge
- His knowledge- sharing his daily facts, even though they weren’t always linked to our topic!
- His height – being the tallest person in our class
- His funniness- when he used to laugh for 10 minutes straight and tell us jokes
- His historical knowledge -telling us all about World War Two before we had even started the topic
- His sneezes – they were exaggerated and loud which made us all giggle lots
- His positive attitude- for his engagement and concentration in his learning
- His extraordinary kindness- for being a great friend and helping others feel welcome in our class
The children and teachers of 5NB added: “Lewis was a big part of our class and he will be truly missed.”
Family friend Leanne High has set up a fundraiser to help Cara and Charlotte pay for personal touches to Lewis’s funeral.
On the fundraising page Leanne says: “Lewis was a very bright, intelligent and caring child who will be eternally missed by all and forever loved.
“Lewis was a little genius in the making, full of facts and knowledge about many topics including World Wars, flags, the solar system and geography. His life tragically ended far too prematurely, a life not yet lived.”
She says the funding will help pay for “personal touches, and give Lewis the send off that he truly deserves” adding: “Lewis Dauncey-Jones what an amazing little man you were. You have imprinted on our hearts forever.
“We will miss you deeply and love you forever more. #Forever10.”
