Earnest Alonzo Lewis

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 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: 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm, Thursday, February 4, 2016 at First Baptist Church in Grand Prairie, TX. Funeral Service: 2:00 pm, Thursday, February 4, 2016 at First Baptist Church in Grand Prairie, TX. Interment: Southland Cemetery in Grand Prairie, TX. Memorials: donations may be sent to the First Baptist Church in Grand Prairie Building Fund, 950 W. Mayfield Rd., Grand Prairie, TX 75052.