Earnest Alonzo Lewis, 96, passed away February 1, 2016, in Dallas.
Earnest was born January 12, 1920, to Alonzo and Lottie Wylie Lewis in Bethal Community, Texas. He attended Langview
and Ennis High School. He grew up and worked on his parent’s farm. He also drove a gravel truck and bulldozer for Ellis
County. While attending Ennis High School he met Libbie Kouba and they were high school sweethearts. In his late teens he
played on a baseball team in Ennis. Earnest served in WWII as a medic for 3 1/2 years arriving on Normandy Beach. While in
Germany and Czechoslovakia, he was in charge of medical stations. He also took a surgical and dental course and graduated
with all excellent grades and took care of many wounded soldiers on the fields and hospitals. Earnest won five battle stars, a
good conduct medal and hospital certificate for his excellent medical ability. Libbie and Earnest married April 12, 1942. After the
war Earnest and Libbie moved to Grand Prairie and he worked for North American later becoming LTV where he was the mail
truck driver. He retired in 1984. Libbie and Earnest had two children Carla and Steve. Earnest loved working in his yard and
even won yard of the year. He also enjoyed tinkering in the garage and working on broken things – especially lawnmowers.
Earnest is preceded in death by parents Lottie and Alonzo Lewis; brothers – Harold, Jelly, Willie Frank, Johnny, Roy, Rosco, and
Joe Bain; sister – Lou Kouba; his close friend who happened to be his brother-in-law, Richard Kouba, Sr.; nephews – Richard
Kouba, Jr., Weldon and Bill Caldwell. Earnest is survived by his wife of 73 years, Libbie Kouba Lewis; children – Carla (Wayne)
Caldwell; Steve (Deana) Lewis; grandchildren – Jennifer (Lupe) Salazar; Mason (Teri) Caldwell; Jordan, Mara and Kenna Lewis;
great-grandchildren – Olivia and Adam Salazar; Rylan and Brynlea Caldwell; sister – Pauline Caldwell; brothers – JV and Kay
Lewis and many nieces and nephews. Earnest loved his country so much he often told Libbie, “please use a flag on my casket.
That will make me happy”.
Visitation will be held from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., Thursday, February 4, 2016, at First Baptist Church in Grand Prairie, Texas.
Funeral service will be held at 2 pm, Thursday, February 4, 2016, at First Baptist Church in Grand Prairie, Texas.
Interment will follow in Southland Cemetery in Grand Prairie, Texas. Donations may be sent to the First Baptist Church in Grand
Prairie Building Fund, 950 W. Mayfield Rd., Grand Prairie, TX 75052.
