Earl Frank Lewis

Frank gently passed into the arms of his heavenly Father on February 7, 2011 at age 84 surrounded by his loving family and friends. He is now reunited with Beulah Maye Short Lewis, his beloved wife of 46 years. He was born March 4, 1926 in Shreveport, Louisiana to loving parents, Robert Frank Lewis and Nannie Lou McBride Lewis, who preceded him in death and are there to embrace him, as are his brother Robert, and his sister Lois, and a host of other family members and friends.

He was a graduate of C.E. Byrd High School in Shreveport where he participated in R.O.T.C. and the Boy Scouts. He began his undergraduate degree at Texas A&M, where he furthered his commitment to R.O.T.C. before being called to duty in the U.S.Army. He was a Sergeant in Company “E” 508th Parachute Infantry Battalion, 82nd Airborne Division, where he was a paratrooper during World War II. Upon completion of his service, he returned and completed his Bachelor of Science Degree at University of Houston, majoring in Petroleum Engineering.

He joined Industrial Gas Supply Corp, a subsidiary of Stone Webster, Inc. in 1952, becoming production engineer in 1955, a vice president in 1962 and executive vice president in 1966. He became president on January 1, 1969. Frank retired in 1996 after working 50 years in the oil and gas industry. Frank was a Freemason for over 61 years. His lodge was NW 1434 in Spring, Texas. He was also a 32nd degree Mason in the Houston Scottish Rite. Frank was a member of Arabia Shrine and belonged to the Jester’s organization. Frank was committed to his church, John Wesley United Methodist Church, where he was an usher, member of the Trekker’s Sunday School class and Dawn Patrol since 1973. He called Westbury United Methodist his home church from 1956 to 1973, where he served as a trustee of the Church. He drove patrol for his neighborhood Watch in Greenwood Forest and worked at the polls on election days. He was a lifetime member of the Houston Club and the Petroleum Club. He was a member of Ducks Unlimited and N.R.A. Frank enjoyed the great outdoors and just being in nature. Some of his fondest memories involved the time spent with his hunting buddies and also with close friends from Dawn patrol. He especially loved his adventures traveling both domestically and abroad with his best friend, Mary-Lou Soper. He had a great sense of humor and always had a meaningful story to share. Frank’s greatest legacy will be his commitment to his family and friends. He supported them tirelessly and lovingly, always caring about their lives and encouraging them to follow their dreams in his very quiet and unassuming way. His willingness to encourage and support others was the hallmark of a life well lived and he will be profoundly missed by all who knew him. Survived by daughter Cynthia Hull and son-in-law Cordell, daughter Kim Best and son-in-law Randy, and daughter Deborah Casey. He is survived by 9 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. A special thank-you and appreciation to Jeffery Lambert, MD, physician and friend, his wonderful and loving caregivers, Demaris Kamanu and Shauna Rice as well as The Terrace and Heart-to-Heart Hospice.

Friends are invited to visit with the family from 6 – 8 pm Thursday February 10 at John Wesley United Methodist Church. 5830 Bermuda Dunes Drive, Houston, Texas. Funeral service will be held at 1:00 pm, Friday February 11, also at John Wesley United Methodist Church.

In lieu of usual remembrances, the family suggests your consideration of a contribution to The Juvenile Diabetes Association, The Shriner’s Hospital or John Wesley United Methodist Church. Service entrusted to Forest Park Westheimer Funeral Home and Cemetery