JAMES "J.B." LEWIS

SAN ANGELO - James "J.B." Lewis was called home to the Lord on Tuesday, July 11, 2006, at the age of 85. Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Friday, July 14, at Johnson's Funeral Home, followed by burial in Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers will be Rowdy Shackelford and Jesse Castillo of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Lloyd Pence and Jim Boyer of the Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 740, Troy Branham and Bill Murray of the Disabled American Veterans, and Law-rence Paschich and Henery Shipman of the American Legion. Family visitation will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, July 13, at Johnson's Funeral Home. James Berry "J.B" Lewis was born to George W. and Mary Elizabeth Kirby Lewis on June 14, 1921, in Haskell, Texas. He was the youngest of six children - four girls and two boys. He was born again one hot August night in 1935 at the Coke Baptist Church. He married his wonderful wife, Louise, on Sept. 12, 1948, in Columbus, Ga. JB always said "that was the best choice I ever made." To them were born three children, Lou Holman, Donna Grider and Mary Elizabeth Bruning. He has seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. These were the important parts of his life that God blessed him with. J.B. retired from the United States Army in 1961, after serving 21 years. He served in the Asiatic Pacific Theater during World War II. He participated in the New Guinea, Admiralty Island, Leyete and Luzon Islands, where he was awarded the Bronze Star and three Purple Hearts. After the war ended, he served in the Army of Occupation in Italy. He later served tour of duty in Germany, Japan and France. Most of his stateside duty was at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas. After he retired from the Army, he went to work for Rockwell International in Houston, Texas, as a shipping clerk. He retired in 1978 from Rockwell as an inventory control supervisor. After his retirement, he moved to Lake Amistad in Del Rio, Texas. After completing his home and yard, he went into Del Rio to find a part-time job and five years later retired as assistant manager of K-Mart. For the next five years he spent every summer at Lost Canyon Camp, located in Camp Wood, Texas. He was the medic for the camp, which was for underprivileged children. To the campers he was known as "Doc." The rest of his time in Del Rio was spent fishing, square dancing and visiting with friends. In January of 2000, he moved to San Angelo to be closer to medical facilities. Since moving to San Angelo, he had been active in the Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 740. He had been a volunteer with RSVP, working two days a week at Plaza Del Sol #1. He was a member of the Community Christian Church Disciples of Christ, where he served as an elder. J.B. was a member of the Val Verde Masonic Lodge 646 in Del Rio, Texas. He was a Life Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 1815, Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 740 and the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 7 in San Angelo, Texas. J.B. was preceded in death by his parents, George W. and Mary Elizabeth Lewis; four sisters, Ione Payne, Minnie Elmer Lewis, Laura Lewis and Myrtle Gilmore; one brother, G. W. Lewis; and one son-in-law, Jodie Holman. Survivors include his wife, Louise, of San Angelo; one sister-in-law, Gladys Lewis of Dallas; three daughters, Lou Holman of San Angelo, Donna Grider of Alvin, Texas, and Mary Bruning and husband Steven of Peachtree City, Ga.; his seven grandchildren, James Holman of Kansas City, Mo., Josh Holman and wife Kym of Midland, Texas, Jason Holman and wife Mechane of The Colony, Texas, Zachariah Grider of Houston, Zane Grider and wife Julie of Houston, Texas, Alexis Phillips of New Braunfels, Texas, and Shanna Leigh Bruning of Peachtree City, Ga.; great-grandchildren Dallas, Summer, Christian and Rachel of The Colony, Texas, Kelsey of New Braunfels, Texas, and Braydon "Rooster" of Midland; and numerous nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank the staff of Hospice of San Angelo - nurse Alice, aide Mary, on-call nurses Al and Lisa, Chaplin Mike and everyone with Hospice who aided in the care of JB.; Dr. Untrlan and staff, and Dr. Rohman and staff, for the wonderful care given to JB; special friends Jacki and Michelle; and the management, staff and neighbors at Century Terrace. In lieu of flowers, contributions to Hospice of San Angelo or your favorite charity would be appreciated.

July 13, 2006
Alan and Cindy Wood
Mr. Lewis, J.B. to us, was a dear friend to all who knew and loved him. After he moved to San Angelo, the neighborhood was never quite the same. We so looked forward to his visits while we were in Del Rio. May God bless all of his family and bring peace to your hearts in this time of sorrow. Alan and Cindy Wood Haltom City, Texas