OBBIE LEWIS, 83, passed away Saturday morning, the 5th of June 2004, in Houston, Texas after a lengthy illness and complications from diabetes. A native Houstonian, Obbie was born on the 20th of August 1920 to Leon and Esther Lewis and spent his entire life in Houston. After attending the New Mexico Military Institute from 1935 to 1939, Obbie then attended the University of Oklahoma where he was president of his fraternity. During World War II, he accepted his commission into the U. S. Army Cavalry Division at Fort Riley, KS. He was then transferred to the 9th Army Air Force Service Command and was dispatched to the European Theater. In 1945, he retired from the service as a Lieutenant Colonel. Like all of those who served during World War II, Obbie was indeed a member of the "Greatest Generation." After the war, Obbie received his Petroleum Engineering degree from the University of Oklahoma and began his business life with the firm, Christie, Mitchell & Mitchell (presently know as Mitchell Energy). Having been affiliated with Morgan Stanley as Vice President of Investments, Obbie enjoyed serving his many friends and clients for the past forty years. In 1942, Obbie married Edith Shackeroff from Batesville, Mississippi; his "Southern Belle" and the love of his life. In March of this year, Obbie and Edith celebrated their 62nd anniversary. They have celebrated many happy moments with their three children, their family, and their many, many dear friends. Obbie was a life-long member of Congregation Beth Israel, the Jewish Community Center, Seven Acres Home for the Aged, the Masonic Lodge - 32nd Degree Masons, the Shrine Temple, the New Mexico Military Institute Alumni Association of which he was also a life member, a former member of the Petroleum Club and the University Club where he enjoyed many hours of tennis with his friends. Obbie was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Bessie Lewis Fisherman, and husband, Henry; and by his brother-in-law, Edwin Shackeroff. Obbie is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Edith; daughter, Natalie Rabicoff and husband, S M "Mendy," of Longview, TX; sons, Leon A. Lewis and wife, Joanne, also of Longview and Mark D. Lewis and wife, Debra, of Arlington, TX; and grandchildren, Ana Rabicoff of Boston, Smila Rabicoff of Alexandria, VA, Aaron David Lewis of Houston, and Abby Jae Lewis of Longview. He is also survived by his sister, Thelma Lewis of Ft. Lauderdale, FL; brother-in-law, A M "Bubba" Shackeroff of Houston; sister-in-law, Marion Shackeroff of Laguna Beach, CA; nephew, Dr. Edwin B. Shackeroff; cousin, Isabel Mermelstein; and his beloved poodle, Napoleon. The family desires to acknowledge and thank the doctors and care providers who took such unbelievable and tender care of Obbie; including Drs. Kim Bloom, Milton Kline, Stephen Dinerstein, and Robert Leistein; Nurse Adella; and the care providers, Clyde Jones, Mellanie Jiles, Maria Melendez, and Doris Cash. On Sunday evening, the 6th of June, friends gathered for visitation with the family at Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston. The funeral service will be conducted at two o'clock in the afternoon on Monday, the 7th of June, in the Gordon Chapel of Congregation Beth Israel, 5600 North Braeswood Boulevard in Houston, with Rabbi Brenner J. Glickman and Cantor Robert M. Gerber co-officiating. The interment with military honors will follow, via cortege from the temple, at Beth Israel Cemetery, 1101 Antoine Road in Houston. In lieu of usual remembrances, memorials may be directed to the NMMI Alumni Association, Inc., 101 West College Blvd., Roswell, NM, 88201; the URJ Greene Family Camp, P.O. Box 1468, Bruceville, Texas, 76630; or to the Special Olympics of Texas State HQ, 7715 Chevy Chase Drive, Suite 120, Austin, TX, 78752.

Published in Houston Chronicle from June 6 to June 7, 2004