James Edward Lewis

James Edward Lewis, Jr. with dignity and grace was welcomed into the arms of his Lord and Savior at 12:25 p.m. Saturday, January 8, 2011 at Hendrick Medical Center. James was born March 23, 1941 in New Waverly, Texas to the union of Mr. James Edward Lewis, Sr. and Pearlena Sheffield Lewis. In 1968 James married Marie Robinson. One son, James Edward Lewis III, was born to this union. This marriage was dissolved by divorce. James was a graduate of Huntsville High School, Huntsville, Texas, and The Operating Room Technician Class of Hendrick Medical Hospital, now Hendrick Medical Center System. James served his country in the United States Army. He was a member of Crawford Masonic Lodge 918 in Abilene. James came to Abilene at the young age of nineteen. His first job was with Hendrick Memorial Hospital in the kitchen washing the pots and pans. He left the kitchen to be a house orderly. James left Hendrick Memorial Hospital to work for Dr. Ralph Hooks, Dr. Ralph Donnell and Dr. Carlton Hodges as a cast technician, and also worked as a part-time employee for Abilene Country Club. He left them to return to Hendrick Memorial Hospital to work in the Operating Room Cysto Department. James left this position to go to school to become an operating room technician. Upon graduation, James took the National Certification Test which he passed. He then was employed by Hendrick Memorial Hospital Operating Room from July, 1970 until August, 1986 when he left to become first assistant to Dr. Howard Tobin until 1990. He then worked at Abilene Regional Medical Center as a Certified Surgical Technologist until 1994. James returned to the newly named Hendrick Medical Center, where he was employed in the operating room as a Certified Surgical Technologist. He was part-time first assistant to Dr. Orlan Akin until health forced him to retire in September, 2004. James remained a Certified Surgical Technologist until August, 2008. James was a charter member of the Valley View Baptist Missionary Church. In 1981 James married Alma Kathryn Thomas. James taught her to fish, bird watch, and several things on the computer. He taught her to cook "Soul Food" the way he liked it. Upon retiring, James routinely fed the ducks and birds at the lake at Nelson Park Zoo. Preceding him in death were his father, James Edward Lewis, Sr., mother, Pearlena Sheffield Lewis, sister, Kay Frances Green, brother, Joseph Lewis, and cousin, Mrs. Ruby Warren, who was like a second mother to James. James is survived by one son, James Edward Lewis III of Atlanta, Georgia; his beloved caretaker, friend, companion and wife, Alma Kathryn Thomas-Lewis of Abilene; four stepsons, Ronald Robinson of Arlington, Texas, Eddie Thomas, Jr. (Margot) of Lakeside, Washington, John Thomas of Alvin, Texas, and Joe Bill Thomas (Jo Ann) of Valrico, Florida; stepdaughter, Lisa Morphis (Mikel) of Damon, Texas. Survivors also include 21 step-grandchildren, Keanna, Ryan, Alexander, Noah, Christopher, Felisha, Casey, Bryce, Jacob, Bill, Lisa, Cody, Valerie, Serria, Alton, Kandace, Kristofer, Aric, Keily, Jayme, and Ally; eight great-grandchildren, Landon, Baylee, Caleb, Dalton, Ben, Adam, one expected girl in March, 2011, and another baby expected in June, 2011. James is also survived by seven brothers, Stanley Barns (Ella), S. T. Lewis, and Jessie Lewis (Elaine) all of Houston, and Jerry Lewis, Rondell Lewis (Maxcine), Nathan Lewis, and Jonas Lewis (Brenda) all of New Waverly, Texas; three sisters, Faye Williams of Houston, Alma Wynne (Marvin) of New Waverly, and Annie Marshal (Jerry) of Tyler; brother-in-law, Richard Bingham (De Anna) of Modesto, California; sister-in-law, Reba Wade of Lubbock; aunt, Annie Johnson of New Waverly; cousin-in-law and very close friend, Ivory Dillard of Abilene. Also surviving James are three extremely close nephews, Willis O'Neal of New Waverly, Darrell Bogney of Allen, and Theodis Bogney of Killeen, Texas, and an extremely close niece, Tyronda Bell of The Woodlands, Texas, as well as many more nephews and nieces. Pallbearers will be Theodis Bogney, Darrell Bogney, Rev. Henry Lewis, Alton Henderson, Derwin Jackson and Floyd Robinson, Jr. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Donald Wehmeyer, Dr. Leigh Taliaferro, Dr. Gerry Lawler, Willis Gee, Lonny Kline and Kenneth Oliver. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, January 14th, at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Rd. The funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 15, 2011 at The Hamil Family Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Andrew Penns, Deacon Willis O'Neal and Rev. Henry Lewis officiating. Graveside services with Military Honors will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 17, at the Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Abilene, 7457 W. Lake Rd. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in James's name may be made to Hendrick Medical Center, Operating Room or Respiratory Department, 1900 Pine St., Abilene, TX 79601, or Hendrick Hospice Care, 1682 Hickory St., Abilene, TX 79601.