Arlie Lewis

Arlie Lewis, Jr., 91, of Amarillo went to be with Our Lord Tuesday, December 26, 2017. Services will be held Saturday, December 30, 2017 at 10:00 am at First Assembly of God Church in Amarillo, Texas with Pastor Billy Nickell officiating. Interment following at Memory Gardens. Arlie was born June 9, 1926 in Altus, Oklahoma to Arlie Mitchell Lewis and Maggie Lewis. He grew up in Altus Oklahoma and graduated from Altus High School in 1944. Arlie proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy during World War II on the USS Commencement Aircraft Carrier from 1943-1946. He married Wilma Wright in 1947, and they settled in Amarillo in 1952. They raised their family together until 1971 when Wilma passed. He married Thelma Thompson Hite in 1976 and they enjoyed 41 years of marriage together. Arlie worked for Nabisco Cookie Company and in the guard department at Silas Mason Pantex Plant where he retired with 34 years of service. His greatest joy was serving the Lord Jesus Christ and loving his family. He loved working in the Church. He was a member of First Church of the Nazarene for 51 years where he served in various capacities including the Bus ministry, Church Board and Worship team. He also served in the ministries of First Assembly of God Church leading the West of Fifties group, writing newsletters and visiting shut-ins. After retirement, Arlie and Thelma spent many years traveling with their fifth wheel especially enjoying their time together in Pendaries, New Mexico. Arlie was a kind, selfless, compassionate, encouraging, a bit ornery, strong, dedicated, servant-minded, faithful, loving man who always brought laughter to a conversation with his amazing sense of humor. He was a Warrior of Jesus Christ who anxiously awaited his chariot to come and to hear the words of Christ, "Well done. good and faithful servant!" We celebrate his renewed strength and abundant life after finishing this life's race. Arlie was preceded in death by his parents, Arlie and Maggie Lewis, a brother, Kenneth Lewis, his first wife, Wilma Lewis, a son, Mike Lewis, a daughter-in-law, Jo Ann Lewis, a son-in-law, Terry Thomas, and several other dear family members. Survivors include a son, Daryl (Fuzzy) Lewis, daughter-in-law, Merri Lewis, 2 daughters, Maxine Smith and husband Grant and Rhonda Thomas all of Amarillo, a sister, Sharon Cain and husband Jim of Knoxville, Tennessee. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren, Marci Lewis Chapman and husband Gary, Jana Lewis Smith and husband Roger, Casey Lewis Schaef and husband Shane, Kari Lewis Neeley and husband James, Lindsey Smith Arbeiter and husband Chase, Erin Smith McCarty and husband Neal, Amie Lewis, Ryan Lewis, Andy Hite and wife Jennifer, Michelle Lewis Burns and husband Chris, and Casey Kelton. He is also blessed with 18 great grandchildren, Marshall Chapman, Braden, Jenson and Alayna Smith, Addison and Ansley Schaef, Adam and Kenzi Neeley, Kaegan and Braylee Lewis, Max Reed, Wesson Kelton, Jackson Rosales McCarty and Jett McCarty, Michael, Ryan and Justin Hite, and Sally Lewis Burns.