Tryon "Temple" Lewis Jr.

Tryon "Temple" Lewis of Grand Prairie, Texas passed away at 1:15 am on November 1, 2022. He was born in Odessa, Texas on January 26, 1939, the son of Pastor James Temple Lewis and Murrell Stokes Lewis.

Temple graduated from Abilene High School, where he was on the track team. Following graduation, he

attended Hardin-Simmons University until he enlisted in the Army in November 1958. He served three

years, primarily stationed in Japan and was a press operator and boxer during his service. He returned to

Abilene in August 1961, after completing his tour of duty. He married Patricia Keesee in 1962 and they

had two daughters, Monica and Sonja.

Temple moved to Arlington, Texas in 1963 and began his career as an assembly worker at General

Motors. He tirelessly committed his career to the company, where he retired after thirty- two years of

service. During his career, he learned the art of welding. He welded throughout his life, building an

air-bike which was driven in a parade, a motorized bicycle, and helped his brother build their first hot-air

balloon.

In 1974 Temple cheated death when his car hit a tree, and he was hospitalized for nearly a month. He

spent the following year living in Abilene raising cattle with his father.

In 1976, he married Debbie Sue White in Arlington, Texas, where they had three daughters; Angela,

Frankie, and Shalon. Temple’s hobbies with his family included fishing, camping, and taking trips across

the country. He additionally entered pool and bowling tournaments and enjoyed country dancing with

his wife, and reading a good old western novel. In 2001, his daughter Shalon’s house burned down and

he spent the following year supporting her and his grandchildren through a difficult time.

Following retirement, he and Debbie took many cruises, road trips, and shared extended visits with his

siblings. You could always find him at the Wood’s Ranch for Thanksgiving by the fire pit or at the fishing

pond surrounded by family.

Temple was preceded by his father, mother, sister Diema Louise Carpenter, brother in law Dr. Dale Wood,

sister in law Margarette White, brother in law Dr. Maurice Lemmons, and brother in law Douglas Young.

Temple was survived by his wife Debbie Lewis, siblings; LaDelle Lemmons, Mertie Wood, John Lewis and

his wife Debbie. He was also survived by his daughter Monica Cleveland, her husband David, their five

children, three sons in law, daughter in law, and six grandchildren, his daughter Sonja Brake, her two

daughters, son in law, and three grandchildren, his daughter Angela Pierce, her husband Blaine Baker,

and their two children, his daughter Frankie Guynes, her husband Stephen, their two children and son in

law, his daughter Shalon Burks, her husband Keith, her five children, and daughter in law. Temple was

survived by many loving cousins, nieces and nephews.

A Visitation for Temple will be held Sunday, November 6, 2022 from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Grand Prairie Funeral Home, 733 Dalworth Street, Grand Prairie, TX 75050. Funeral service will follow at 4:00 PM at the Funeral Home. A Committal will be held Monday, November 7, 2022 at 9:00 AM at Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas, TX 75211.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.grandprairiefh.com for the Lewis family.