John Lewis

John Oliver Lewis (8/8/1923-12/29/2016), Odessa, TX
Mary Virginia Lewis (7/15/1924-3/14/2016), Odessa, TX

John was born to Hazel Franklin and Charles Lewis in Danville, IL, where he grew up a lifelong Cubs and Illini fan. He met the love of his life, Mary Virginia Dodd, and they married when he returned from service in WWII. John graduated from the University of Illinois with a civil engineering degree. From there, he went to work for Phillips Petroleum Co. and spent his entire career with them, going from Bartlesville, OK, to plants in Phillips & Borger, TX; Toledo, OH; London & Teesside, UK; Woods Park, UT; and finishing out his career back in Borger, TX. He spent a good part of his career as a plant manager in many of those places until he retired after 38 years when he and Virginia moved to Albuquerque & Angel Fire, NM; and then to Odessa, TX, to be closer to family.

John was active in the Presbyterian Church, being a Deacon, Elder, Clerk of the Session, and a lay representative of the National Council of Churches.

(Mary) Virginia Dodd Lewis, of Odessa, TX, passed away on March 14, 2016.
Virginia was born to parents, Arleigh Francis Dodd and Lucy May Edwards Dodd and
was an only child. She grew up in Danville, IL, where she met and married John in
1946.

Virginia was a devoted wife and mother. She also was active in the Presbyterian Church, and served as an Elder, Clerk of the Session, Sunday school teacher, Moderator of the Women's Association, as well as serving on various Presbytery committees. She was an adviser to the Jane Phillips Sorority and a member of the Albuquerque Assistance League and the American Needlepoint Guild. She loved doing needlepoint, knitting, working crossword puzzles, playing Scrabble, and reading.

While in Texas and Ohio she studied Library Science and was a member of Kappa Delta Pi. In England she took art classes in needlework.

John and Virginia would have celebrated their 70th anniversary this past April. He was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia, parents, and sisters. Virginia was preceded in death by her parents. Survivors are daughters, Susan Ptacek, Lincoln, NE; Cindy Fouche (Phil), Odessa, TX; and Nancy Lewis-Means, Abilene, TX; grandchildren and great grandchildren, Genevieve Inungaray (Eli) and Samantha Larson, Lacey, WA; Emily Sheets (Jeff), Lincoln, NE; Jody Harvey and Peyton and Parker Harvey, Trophy Club, TX; Nathan Hopkins (Kim), Camden, Noelle and Kate Hopkins, Frisco, TX; and John Hopkins (Jena) and Addison Hopkins, Odessa, TX.

A memorial service for both John and Virginia will be April 21, at First Central Presbyterian Church in Abilene, TX. Remains are in the Columbarium of the church. Memorials may be given to the American Cancer Society.

Arrangements are entrusted to Sunset Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home. To send family condolences please sign the guestbook at www.sunsetodessa.com.

Service

Cemetery