James Howard Lewis

SERVICES: 10:00 AM Friday, September 24, 2010, at Mary Ellen & Harvester Church of Christ, with Glen Walton and Dean Whaley, ministers from Bell Avenue Church of Christ of Amarillo, officiating.BURIAL: Memory Gardens Cemetery with military honors courtesy U. S. Army, Fort Hood, Texas, and Masonic rites courtesy of Pampa Masonic Lodge #966 AF&AM. Arrangements are under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors.BIOGRAPHY: Mr. Lewis was born July 23, 1929 in Wheeler County to William J. (Bill) and Zola Lewis. He was a lifetime resident of Pampa, attending Pampa schools, and graduating from Pampa High School in 1948. He was a veteran of the U. S. Army, serving in Germany and Korea during the Korean Conflict with the 78th Armored Field Artillery Battalion, 2nd Armored Division, from 1950-1952. Upon his discharge in December of 1952, James returned to Pampa where he served with the Army Reserve unit from 1952-1956. He attended Frank Phillips College night classes in Borger for several years, and graduated from Amarillo College Panhandle Regional Law Enforcement Academy in 1993, where he took many continuing education classes.After returning to Pampa, James met the love of his life, Marilyn Hamilton, who he married on June 12, 1953 in Pampa. They had 57 wonderful years together, and were blessed with 3 children: Howard, Debbie and Bill.James was a wonderful husband, father and Papa. He loved his family and loved to watch his grandchildren excel in sports and academics, where all were honor students. He watched many high school and college basketball and volleyball games, golf tournaments, football games and rodeos. He will be greatly missed by his family and many friends.He was an avid sports fan, and loved football, basketball, volleyball and rodeo. In the 1970's, he sponsored a women's traveling volleyball team that played throughout the Panhandle, winning first place wherever they played. He was a proud supporter of West Texas A&M and Wayland University athletics. He also loved to hunt and fish. James was self-employed for several years. He worked for IRI International for 29 years, retiring in 1993. For over 17 years, he served Gray County as Constable for Precinct 1 and 3, beginning January 1, 1993. He was a member of Mary Ellen & Harvester Church of Christ. He was a member of Pampa Optimist Club in the 50's, 60's and 70's, coaching little league baseball and working with the football program. He was a member of the Pampa Harvester Band Booster Club for 8 years, serving as president and treasurer for 7 of those years. He was a member and officer of the Lake McClellan Improvement Group, a board member of the Lefors Senior Citizens Association, and a volunteer fireman for Lefors. He was a longtime member of the Pampa Masonic Lodge #966 AF&AM and Pampa Shrine Club, serving several terms as president, vice president and treasurer. He was a member of the Khiva Shrine Temple in Amarillo, the West Texas JP and Constable Association, and served on the Pampa Chamber of Commerce Tourism Committee.SURVIVORS: wife: Marilyn Lewis of the home; 3 children: Howard Lewis of Des Moines, Iowa, Debbie Raymond and husband Paul of Plainview, and Bill Lewis of Pampa; 2 daughters-in-law: Tawny Lewis of Amarillo and Dana Lewis of Lefors; grandchildren: Tiffany and Brad Fralick of Amarillo, Brittyne and Ryan Jackson of Austin, Ryan and Erick Lewis of Pampa, Rachel of Dallas, Erika and Haley Raymond of Plainview; great-grandchild: Kinsler Fralick; foster daughter: April Walkup of Huntingdon, Pennsylvania; foster granddaughter: Amber Hopkins of Las Vegas, Nevada; sister: Billie Jo Schulz of Wasilla, Alaska; brother: Harold Lewis and wife Charlotte of Pampa; nieces: Pamela Mundt of Anchorage, Alaska, Andrea Caison of Pampa, and Annette and Tom Juhl of Louisville, Kentucky; nephews: Jerome and William Schulz of Wasilla, Alaska, Howie Lewis of Borger, Dean and Debbie Lewis of League City; numerous great nieces and great nephews; and uncle: Bismark Blackstock of Pampa. James was preceded in death by his parents.MEMORIALS: American Heart Association, 2514 82nd Street, Suite B, Lubbock, Texas 79423, or American Diabetes Association, 8008 Slide Road, Suite 12-A, Lubbock, Texas 79424.