Donald Ray Lewis went to his final resting place at the age of 82. He passed away at home, surrounded by loved ones, on May 2, 2021.

Don was born in Fort Smith, Arkansas on December 11, 1938 to Charles and Lavenia Lewis. They were living in Bokoshe, Oklahoma at the time. They then moved to Carlsbad, New Mexico in 1949, where Don spent the remainder of his school days. He left Carlsbad in 1955 and eagerly joined the Air Force. He attended basic training at Lackland AFB and was then stationed in Chicago, Illinois at what is now Chicago O'Hare Airport. Once he was discharged in 1958, he returned to Carlsbad and joined his Dad at the IMC potash mines until the strike in 1961. It was then he started his lifelong career as a mechanic and body man. He worked at body shops in Carlsbad, NM, Decatur, AL, Fort Smith, AR, Albuquerque, NM, Odessa, TX and then Mason, TX.

Don was a storyteller and had a lot of great stories to share. He loved drag racing and working on cars and motorcycles. He built some absolute masterpieces in his time. He enjoyed having coffee with his friends and looked forward to hassling the waitresses and waiters that served him. He loved a good joke, especially the ones his brother, Charlie, told before he passed. He was a caretaker to people and animals alike and never, ever met a stranger. He loved deeply, he was a kind soul, he was full of wisdom and genuinely had a heart of gold. As for his accomplishments and achievements, there is simply no way to list them in a paragraph or two but, anyone that knew him knew he was most proud of his children and grandchildren.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Lavenia, and his brother and sister-in-law, Charlie and Rena.

He is survived by his wife, Sandra, his daughter, Deanna Robinson, and husband Chuck of San Angelo, his son, John Lewis of Mason, his son, Cory Lewis, and wife Monica of Mason, his daughter, Brandy Neece, and husband Brandon of Mason, his son, Seth Suarez of San Antonio and his grandchildren, Jessica Robinson, Wesley Robinson, Blake Lewis, Brooke Lewis, Brianne Lewis, Corbyn Neece and Caydon Neece. He also leaves behind many dear friends, some of which include Joyce Lewis, Brenda Lewis and Johnny Miser.

A celebration of life will be planned at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests you make a donation to the charity of your choice.