T.J. Lewis was born November 13, 1935, in Abilene, Texas and passed away on April 8, 2020, in Brownwood, Texas, at the age of 84.
A celebration of his life, family, and faith will be held on Sunday, June 14 at 3:00 p.m. at the Central United Methodist Church in Brownwood with Rev. Carol Roberts and Dr. Gerry Lewis officiating.
Visitation will be held prior to services from 12:30 to 2 p.m. at Blaylock Funeral Home. Private interment will be held at a later date at the Glen Cove Cemetery.
Arrangements are under the direction of Blaylock Funeral Home of Brownwood.
T.J. was the youngest child born to T.A. and Cora May (Cooke) Lewis. He grew up and went to school in Abilene, but also spent significant time visiting family in the Coleman/Valera area. He enjoyed sports and exceled in basketball and track in school, but it was those days exploring and working the land that gave him his lifelong love of the outdoors, ranching, animals, and adventure.
After graduating from high school, he entered Hardin Simmons University, where he received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. During college, he entered the ROTC program and enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving 30 years in the National Guard and rising to the rank of Colonel. Before his retirement, he served as Battalion Commander of the 49th Armored Division, headquartered in Brownwood.
T.J. moved to Brookesmith in 1962 and was principal and coach at Brookesmith High School before beginning a 30-year career at 3M, culminating in the position of General Supervisor. Of course, he maintained his farming and ranching as an avocation until his retirement allowed him to finally devote his full time to the ranching business.
His love of the land and his animals always came second to his love for family. His boys were the center of his life and he devoted himself to leaving a legacy for them. He also loved being Grandpa to his four grandchildren and Big Grandpa to his four great-grandchildren.
In 1985, T.J. married his soulmate, Sue Walker, and they shared life on the ranch until her death in 2014.
T.J. was preceded in death by his parents, T.A. & Cora Lewis; his brother, J.C. Oquin; his sisters, Mamye Ruth Bryant and Mary Lunelle Robinson; and his wife, Sue Lewis.
He is survived by his two sons, Gerry Lewis and wife Eva of Azle, Jeff Lewis and wife Stephanie of Brownwood; his grandchildren, Tova Dad and husband Joseph, Zeke Lewis and wife Allie, Scott Lewis, and Matthew Lewis and wife Chandler; and his great-grandchildren, Aziza Dad, Owen Lewis, Ahava Dad, and Jaeson Lewis.
In lieu of flowers, T.J.’s family requests that donations be given to the donor’s charity of choice or to the Brookesmith Volunteer Fire Department.