James Wyatt Lemons

Lakeway, Texas James Wyatt Lemons, 97, departed this life peacefully on January 20, 2014, surrounded by loving family members. Services will be at 2:00 PM Thursday, January 23, 2014, at First United Methodist Church in Pampa, with John Curry, officiating. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery in Pampa, under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors of Pampa. Mr. Lemons was born October 7, 1916 in Henderson to John Thomas and Henrietta King Lemons. He grew up during the depression, starting to work when he was eleven at the basket factory in Jacksonville. He also worked packing tomatoes for shipment and as a surveyor apprentice on a road crew during his teen years. After graduating from high school, Wyatt moved to Dallas and enrolled in an accounting course at Draughon’s Business College where he met Velma Parker, his bride to be. They were married on June 14, 1940 in Dallas. She preceded him in death on April 30, 2012 after 72 years of marriage. While preparing to sit for his CPA exam, he went to work for Drilling & Exploration Company in Dallas. When World War II started with the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Wyatt enlisted in the U. S. Army and enrolled in Officer’s Candidate school, graduating as a Second Lieutenant. After completing flight school, he was assigned to the Pacific Theatre, ending up in the Philippine islands for the remainder of the war. After the war, Wyatt went back to work for D&E in 1946 and was transferred to Pampa as a regional production superintendent. The company sold out in 1964, helping him to decide to become self-employed in the oil and gas business. In 1976, the oil and gas production he had accumulated was incorporated as Wy-Vel Corporation, the company name chosen by Velma. Wy-Vel Corporation has grown throughout the years to include production and royalties in Oklahoma and Texas. Wyatt was faithfully working daily at the Lakeway office until September of 2013 when his health began to fail. He was also preceded in death by his son Wayne Lemons in 1982, two sisters and his parents. Survivors include his son, Kenneth Lemons and wife Christine of Lakeway; three grandchildren, Jason Lemons and wife Laura of Richardson, Jessica Reynolds and husband Kevin of Lakeway, and Jeffrey Lemons and wife Jennifer of Austin; two great-granddaughters, Julianne and Gianna; and two great-grandsons, Hunter and James. The family will receive friends from 6:30-8:00 PM Wednesday, January 22, 2014, at Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Home in Pampa. Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 1981, Pampa, Texas 79066-1981.