Leonard Donald Lewis' Obituary
Leonard Donald Lewis, the second of eight children, was born to Ira Truman Lewis and Eva Tessola Mahoney Lewis on January 27, 1916, in Sidney, MO. As his second nurturing wife (Mary Margaret Baker Lewis, Irving, TX) of nine years exclaimed on July 14, 2017, “Angels came this morning at 4:00 to escort him to heaven.” He was able to die in Irving in his own home, in his own bed, next to Margaret, in his sleep, at the age of 101. He was certainly a blessed man during his whole life and in his death. “L.D.” worked for three companies during his lifetime: Consumer Cooperative Association (CCA Co-op) in Carrollton, MO for 3 years; Braniff Airways in Kansas City, MO (twice), Dallas (4 times), Chicago, San Antonio, Brownsville, Wichita, Tulsa and Ponca City, OK, all during the span of 15 years; and then KPHO (Channel 4) television station in Phoenix for 25 years. He subsequently retired and moved back to Dallas in 1979. L.D. was preceded in death by his parents, his first loving wife of 44 years, Ruth Alice Sarbaugh Lewis, 4 siblings – Mabel, Josie, Vernon, and Hank, plus 4 nieces and nephews. He is survived by his second wife, an only son, Don Lewis of Dallas, 2 brothers – Carl Lewis of Hutchinson, KS and Herb Lewis of Alamogordo, NM, and 1 sister – Doris June Lewis Christy of Socorro, NM. He has 2 grandchildren – Brad Lewis of Mesquite, TX and Kimberly Lewis Stark of Albuquerque, NM, and 3 great grandchildren. He dearly loved all of them along with all the in-laws. He had 17 beloved nieces and nephews, of whom 13 are still surviving. With his first wife (who passed away in 1979) at his side, L.D. served as an elder at the Southwest Church of Christ in Phoenix for 15 years. He loved to study the Bible, teach and often preach. Being multi-talented and primarily self taught, L.D. was a guitar player, radio navigator on DC-3’s during WWII, disc jockey, boy scout master, ham radio operator (who communicated with missionaries around the world), mentor for several young people, country singer on radio, superb handy-man, television engineer, coach, pilot, etc. He loved to laugh which is an endearing characteristic of the entire Lewis clan. Probably, he will be remembered most of all for his love of people, especially family – both his kinsfolk and fellow Christians. Through the years most vacations were spent visiting relatives. He was always passionately interested in family history and could tell story after story about people and life in Missouri. Both of his wives and he were always so gracious and kind and helpful to brothers and sisters in Christ as well as to strangers and the down and out. This man, along with his two beautiful wives, were true inspirations to many, many people for many, many years. He will be sorely missed. Services will be at Belt Line Road Church of Christ, Irving, TX on Wednesday, July 19 at 2:00 pm, with visitation 1 hour prior to the service.
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