Ralph William Lewis

Ralph Lewis, 71, of Odessa, Texas passed away peacefully surrounded by family. 

A visitation will be held on Thursday, October 24, 2024, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home. A graveside celebration of life will be held on Friday, October 25, 2024, at 1:00 PM, at Sunset Memorial Gardens, with Pastor Jon Hendricks officiating.

Ralph was born in Andrews, Texas to Lester and Carrie Mae Lewis on December 13, 1952. He graduated from Andrews High School and went on to study at Odessa College. Ralph and Fritzi Heron married on June 23, 1995 at the Ellen Noel Art Museum in Odessa during a quick moving hail storm. He retired from NOV as a Health and Safety Coordinator after working for various other companies at plants and in the oil field for over 35 years. 

Ralph was proud to have been an Andrews Mustang and Acapella Choir member while in high school. His class reunions were more like family reunions. When he moved to Odessa, he became involved in golf, softball and bowling. He went on to bowl with teams and individually at the national level until extended travel for work did not leave him time to participate. Even though he missed some family time due to work, he was present to celebrate and cheer on his kids, grandkids and family when he was in town. Ralph is the proud Dad of daughters with his first wife, Kim Holton Lewis. He tried to pass his love of traveling and family on to his kids. 

Ralph has been described by friends and family as humorous, honest, hardworking and courageous. Ralph was diagnosed with stage 3 Colorectal Cancer in 2008 but continued to work while going through treatments and surgeries. He was blessed to have wonderful care through Texas Oncology’s Dr. Khandelwal, Dr. Kazar and staff. He found additional care at MD Anderson after being referred by his care team here. In August of this year, he suffered a stroke which overwhelmed his system. 

Ralph is preceded in death by his parents, Lester and Carrie Mae Lewis of Andrews, TX; brother, Marvin Lewis of Amarillo, TX. and mother/father-in-law, Clyde and Felecieia Heron Odessa,TX.

Ralph is survived by his wife, Fritzi Heron Odessa, TX; ex-wife, Kim Lewis(Tommy) Odessa, TX; daughters, Misty Lewis Kingsland, TX, Melissa Grimaldo (Ruben) Midland, TX, Melinda Lewis (Darren Hightower) Odessa, TX; bonus daughter, Mandy Whitlock (Bob) Odessa, TX; sister, Genny Townsend Crane, TX; brother, David Lewis (Judy) Ruidoso, NM; sister-in-law, Jeanette Lewis (Marvin) Amarillo, TX; grandkids, Dasia Simpson Odessa, TX, Devin Simpson Odessa, TX, Diana Grimaldo (Jason Herrera) Midland, TX, Kendra Reynolds (David) Odessa, TX, Tristan Whitlock (Brice Windham)Odessa, TX, Kelsea Whitlock Odessa, TX, Bryson Whitlock Odessa, TX, Madison Whitlock Odessa, TX; great-grandson, Agustin Herrera Midland, TX; and many wonderful nieces and nephews. 

Donations to American Cancer Society or Shrinners Children’s Hospitals would be appreciated.