Edward Lewis

Edward Franklin Lewis, 92, passed away Thursday, January 12, 2017. He leaves his wife of almost 70 years, Margaret Lavene Lewis; his two sons, Bill Lewis and his wife Verla Lewis; Mark Lewis and his partner Olga Cruz; three grandsons, Brad Lewis, Ryan Lewis and Stephen Lewis; granddaughter, Stephanie Lewis; five great-grandchildren; and many more family members and close friends.

He was born in Lonoke, Arkansas on May 21, 1924 to parents Walter and Ethel Lewis. In his early years, Mr. Lewis would help work the family rice farm with his four sisters and two brothers. After graduating from Lonoke High School in 1942, he went to work at the local lumber company. In 1946 he asked a small town girl from Oak Grove, Arkansas to go see Sentimental Journey and on May 23, 1947 he married the love of his life,Margaret Lavene Lewis.

After marrying Lavene he went to work for Standard Oil in El Dorado, Arkansas and then Gulf. Over the next several years they moved from El Dorado to Liberal, Kansas, spent 1 year in South Korea, Houston, Texas, Hattiesburg, Mississippi and then Beaumont, Texas. They had two sons William Edward Lewis and Mark Stephen Lewis. In 1984 he decided to retire from his job of Area Superintendent with Gulf and stayed in Beaumont, Texas. Ed always took great pride in his work. He was admired by both supervisors and his subordinates and truly relished the friends he made during his career.

After retiring Mr. Lewis went back to his love for farming and cultivated a small vegetable garden in his backyard. He made many trips to Kansas City to visit his son Bill, daughter in law Verla and grandsons Brad and Ryan; to San Antonio to visit his son Mark, granddaughter Stephanie and grandson Stephen and back to Arkansas to spend time with his and Lavene's family and friends. Two years ago he and Lavene said goodbye to all their friends in Beaumont and moved to San Antonio.

Mr. Lewis was a happy person and always smiled. He could take anything apart, put it back together and fix everything. Ed was quiet and preferred a more simpler lifestyle. He loved chicken and dumplings, Wathena Cake and sitting around the table with his family. Whenever the weather was nice he and Lavene could be found sitting outside in their rockers with a cup of coffee. He was a wonderful husband, dad and grandfather and loved by many. He will be greatly missed.

His viewing is Sunday January 15 from 4:00-6:00 at Boyd Funeral Home, Lonoke. A graveside service and burial will be held Monday January 16 at 11:00 a.m. at Lonoke Cemetery. Online guest book, www.boydfuneralhome.net.