Lewis Wayne Thomas, Jr., was born February 12, 1937. He died March 10, 2010, at Lake Ivie, Texas. He was 73. Lewis was preceded in death by his parents: Lewis Wayne Thomas, Sr. in 1978 and mother, June Middleton Thomas in 2004, his wife Sherry Parks Thomas in 2004; and his brother William ‘Dubb’ Thomas in 2008.
Lewis had many close friends over the years, including Harvey Wells of Mertzon; Slaton D. Harris of O’Donnell, Texas; Jimmy Winans of San Angelo; and Hardey Tinsley of Odessa, Texas.
Lewis was born in Plainview, Texas, in 1937. He attended schools in O’Donnell , California, and Welch, Texas. Lewis left the cotton fields of Punkin Center in 1954 to go to work in the ‘oil patch’ in Sweetwater, Texas.
While enjoying coffee at a local diner, Lewis caught the eye of a cute little carhop named Berta Chance. They were married in 1956 and spent most of their married life in Fort Stockton, Texas. Lewis and Berta had three children: Scott Lee, Kris Ann, and Terry Lee. Lewis worked for Harvey Wells in Fort Stockton for many years.
In 1975 Lewis married Sherry Parks of Campwood, Texas. Lewis would enjoy many Texas summer nights camping out, bar-b-queing, listening to guitar music and camp stories; joined by Sherry’s brothers Robert, Neville, Irwin and their wives and families. Nancy and Irwin mourn the passing of Lewis Wayne and Irwin’s sister, Sherry who preceded Lewis’s death in August, 2004.
Lewis Wayne was the first and cherished grandson of J.T. (Dub) and Marguerite Middleton of O’Donnell, Texas. ‘Sweet Pea’, Lewis, and brother, ‘Little Guy’, William Dubb, would spend many happy summers at the family cabin in Ruidoso, New Mexico with grandparents, Dub and Marguerite, along with many aunts, uncles, and cousins. Grandmother died in 1953. Granddaddy Middleton died in 1963. The ‘family cabin’ would burn down in 1965. Happy Christmases were shared at Granddaddy’s house on 5th street in O’Donnell until Dub’s passing in 1963.
Lewis’s pastimes included reading western novels, Indian lore, collecting thousands of long playing records, and dancing on a hardwood floor in dim lights, thick smoke, and loud, loud music.
Lewis took on many responsibilities at an early age. At 12 years old, he drove the entire family from California to Texas. Underneath his deep voice and all business attitude, was a big heart and soft touch. Lewis Wayne often felt the weight of the world on his shoulders. His sense of humor and the twinkle in his eyes will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him, including Beau the last of a long line of Boston terriers. Lewis’s mother, June, told him all through his life to look out for and take care of his little brother, Dubb. Lewis fulfilled that request to the best of his ability until his own passing in 2010.
As was his style, Lewis left this world on his own terms, of his own will, and at his own hand. As he said in his farewell note to loved ones, ‘a hell of a way to stop smokin and drinkin. ’
A special memorial service will be held in Lamesa Memorial Park in Lamesa, Texas, on Saturday, October 20, 2012 at 11:11 a.m. to say farewell to Lewis Wayne and his brother, William Dubb Thomas. In lieu of flowers, the family and friends of ‘Sweet Pea’, Lewis Wayne Thomas, Jr. suggest contributions be made to any local, state, or national suicide prevention center in your area.
Rest in peace and love dear brother, friend, father, uncle, grandfather. Hell is here on earth of our own making. Your personal hell is over. Heaven, love, forgiveness, and understanding await you on the ‘other side’. God understands all, forgives all, and welcomes you with open arms. We love and miss you.
Jeanette Schwartz of San Angelo will inter Lewis Wayne’s ashes beside his father in Lamesa on October 4, 2012. A service for both brothers and the interment of Dubb, Lewis Wayne’s brother, will occur on October 20 at 11:11 am in Lamesa. Lewis’s family can be contacted by email at jdrobinson46@frontier.com.
