Howard Lewis

Services are scheduled at 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, September 3 at Terpening Son Mortuary for Howard Lewis, Artesia, New Mexico. Mr. Lewis, 77, died Wednesday, August 28, 2002 at Mission Arch Care Center in Roswell, New Mexico. Elder Vernon Swift will officiate at the services with burial at Twin Oaks Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Riley Norris, Ronald Norris, Justin Hunt, John Hunt, Jason Hunt, Bryan Atkins, Jason Atkins, Todd Atkins, Charles Haldeman and Greg Swift. Mr. Lewis was born March 19, 1925 in Mosquero, New Mexico; the son of John Webster Lewis and Minnie Etta Potts Lewis. He came from there to Artesia in 1928. He was a 1943 graduate of Artesia High School and served in the United States Navy during World War II. On November 7, 1946 he was married to Thelma Swift in Carlsbad, N.M. He was a building contractor in Artesia since 1952 and developed the Abo Housing Sub-Division in Artesia. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Strangite. He was preceded in death by brothers James Lewis and Archie Lewis; and by a sister Ruth Lacey. Survivors include his wife Thelma Lewis of the family home; a daughter Verna Atkins and husband Tom of Lawrence, Kansas; a brother Charlie Lewis and wife Bea of Bernalillo, N.M.; sisters Nelle Hunt and husband Bill of Albuquerque, N.M. and Opal Norris and husband George of Hagerman, N.M.; four grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Memorial contributions may be made to the Artesia Historical Museum Foundation- 505 Richardson Ave. - Artesia, NM 88210; the Zia Girl Scout Council - 208 S. 4th St. - Artesia, NM 88210; or the Artesia Senior Center Building Fund - P.O. Box 1598 - Artesia, NM 88211.