Wish you could know how much I've thought of you this past year.  I'm hoping that Heaven is all you hoped it would be, that the reunion with loved ones & friends has been wonderful & reaffirming of a life you lived well, & that there's been rest for you after you worked so hard in this life.  Whenever a new job or adventure has presented itself, I've wished that I could text or email you because I think you'd have found it interesting or conversation-worthy...we may not have corresponded a lot, but I surely did enjoy the times we did.  More than anything, I hope that someone up there has told you that you're missed, that you're on our minds often, & that you made a difference in this world.   I keep the Snoopy Flying Ace mug that you picked out for me close-by when I'm here at home.  It's not the same as a text or email, but it's a reminder of you & I've appreciated that.  I'll end this message with the same words you always did, 
"See you later, take care."  

I worked with Ray in the late 1980's at the Lubbock Avalanche Journal. I did not know Ray that well -- we sat at opposite ends of the newsroom and I was part of the features, rather than the news staff.  But I deeply admired and respected Ray as a journalist, and I really liked him as a person. 

As a young reporter, I looked to Ray as an example of what it means to have integrity, work hard, and to be humble through it all. While Ray was never one to gloat over his work, he was so kind with compliments for others, and was a true gentleman.  

I truly feel fortunate for having known him and worked with him, and I hope the family knows how valued he was at the A-J. He truly was a man who made a difference in the larger world. 

Best, Elizabeth Kaufman Fox 

Although we weren't close in later years, I'd like to share a happy memory of my Dad from 1994.  He was what you might call a "fearful flier" so we didn't relate very easily with each other on the subject of aviation.  But there was an Open House at Reese AFB in Lubbock & he agreed to go with me to watch the USAF Thunderbirds perform.  I was working at Amarillo Tower at the time & worked many of the T-1, T-37, & T-38 pilot training flights from RAFB on a daily basis.  It was cool to me that he was so attentive to my explanations of airplanes, he actually asked questions, it seemed to impress him that the Reese pilots we talked to admired what I did at AMA Tower, he was in awe of the Thunderbirds, & we picked up Whataburgers for dinner when we went back to their house in Shallowater.  It was the one day when we were probably closest & actually had FUN together...so, that's the day I'm going to "keep" for always. ✈😎✈

Dad had a way of making me laugh just by how incredibly goofy he could be. He used to tell me that he probably stopped getting older (at least in his mind) at the age of 11. He would randomly text me some Paul Harvey joke, and I could hear him laughing as I read it. Ever since I was a child, he used to draw this ridiculous little mouse on any piece of paper he could find because I couldn't help but smile when I saw it. Several years ago I was stressing over something at work. A few days later I received a card in the mail with a drawing of that silly mouse. It's been hanging in  my office ever since. He was a brilliant photographer.  The picture he captured of the Lubbock National Bank building during the lightning storm was my favorite. The only downside to him being a photographer is that I have very few pictures of him. He was a devoted and proud grandfather, and some of the best pictures of him are those with his granddaughter Morgan. Even though there really wasn't a chance for more pictures with him after we moved to Illinois, we certainly treasure the ones we have and all the memories that are ours forever.

OBITUARY

Lewis Ray Westbrook

29 August, 1936 – 12 September, 2019

Resthaven Funeral Home & Memorial Park

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