Richard Wayne Lewis

Wayne Lewis was born February 16, 1935 in Carlsbad, New Mexico to Ruby Magby-Lewis and Richard Lewis. He passed away March 4, 2016 at Midland Memorial Center in Midland, Texas. He was raised on Crow Flat, near Dell City, Texas, where he grew up ranching with his family. As a young teenager they moved to Carlsbad where he was an active member in the Carlsbad FFA Chapter and enjoyed playing baseball. He was baptized at Hillcrest Methodist Church and had a close relationship with God throughout his life. Shortly after they returned to Dell City, he attended school in a one room school house, but in his spare time his real interest was riding the milk pen calves. He was in the first graduating class of Dell City, Texas that consisted of only two people. After high school he continued pursuing his passion of riding bulls professionally. He did rodeo for about 7 years and even competed in the first ever RCA Finals in Dallas, Texas. In July of 1960, he married Elizabeth (Petey) Cleghorn. After they married, they returned to Crow Flat where he helped run the ranch and raise his family. In 1969 the family moved to Kent, Texas where Wayne ran the Foster ranch and then later worked at the JD ranch. Years later they moved to Lovington, New Mexico where he worked on the Dean ranch. After retiring from ranch work, they moved to Carlsbad, New Mexico where he started a new career as a truck driver at Rose Gravel (later Constructors). After retiring, he enjoyed golfing and also spending time at the ballpark watching his grandson's baseball games. As Wayne got older he enjoyed peeling pecans and handy work. Whenever possible, he and his buddy Jessie Lewis would travel to Hobbs and Ruidoso, New Mexico to watch horse races. He was an avid storyteller and could strike up a conversation with anyone. Wayne always had a special relationship with children and would do anything to make them laugh. Throughout the years he maintained close relationships with extended family and friends, no matter where they were. Wayne loved his family and had a special relationship with all of his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He is remembered by many great friends and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Ruby Lewis; sister, Daisy Jordan and brother, Roy Calvin. Wayne is survived by his wife, Petey Lewis and brother, Austin Lewis; children, Stacy Green and George Gonzalez, Janice Lucas and husband, Berry, Kerry Lewis and wife, Christi; grandchildren: Kara Howard and husband, Randy, Berry Lucas Jr. and wife, Rachel, Rebeka Lucas, Kaci Whitmire and husband, Matt, Koby Lewis, Dustin Green, Garrett Green, and Neely Green; great-grandchildren: Layton and Tynlee Whitmire, Kimber and Blake Lucas, Maddy and Sebastian Green, and Jaxon Howard. Pallbearers are Berry Lucas Jr., Garrett Green, Koby Lewis, Austin Johnson, Daniel Fike, and Brandon Slate. Honorary Pallbearers are Berry Lucas Sr., Jessie Lewis, Kenneth Hogg, Joe Williams, Joe Murkle and Ernie Bostic. Visitation will be from 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM, Tuesday, March 8, 2016 at Denton-Wood Funeral Home. Funeral services are scheduled for Wednesday, March 9, 2016, 10:00 AM, at Blodgett Street Baptist Church with Dick Means officiating. Interment will follow in Carlsbad Cemetery, Carlsbad, New Mexico. Denton-Wood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be expressed at dentonwood.com