Eddie Lewellen (Plainview)

Eddie Lewellen died of a heart attack Wednesday night at his home in Plainview. Following a private family burial, a memorial service will be held at 2:00 P.M. Saturday, June 15, 2013 at First United Methodist Church with Mr. Lanny Voss and Rev. Jeff Taylor officiating. A visitation will be held from 6 to 7 Friday evening at the funeral home. Eddie was born December 24, 1944 to Alvin Earl and Ellen Lewellen. A graduate of Plainview High School, he completed his education at West Texas State University. Eddie served as a Staff Sergeant in the 36th Infantry Division of the National Guard for six years. A member of a pioneer farming family, Eddie was a fourth generation Lewellen to farm in Hale County. As a concerned farmer, in 1998 he organized a group of ten West Texas farmers who challenged the constitutionality of the tax action set by the Texas Boll Weevil Eradication Foundation. The lawsuit progressed through the court system all the way to Texas Supreme Court, and the farmers won the lawsuit. Numerous court cases and articles throughout the nation cite this boll weevil case. Eddie married Jane Clary of Plainview in August 1965. Their three children, Paige, Brooks, and Ashley completed their family. His greatest pride was that all three of his children were graduated from College- Paige and Ashley from the University of Oklahoma and Brooks from the University of Arkansas. He loved being a Chi Omega dad and Pi Beta Phi dad. Always involved in his children’s activities, he coached YMCA basketball and helped behind the scenes with scouts, carwashes, choir functions, and various fundraisers. He is preceded in death by his parents; two nephews (Kevin Lewellen & Russell Page), a niece (Andria Clary), and his brother-in-law (Les Clary). Eddie is survived by his wife of the home; children, Paige Nordell (Joakim) of Plano, Brooks Lewellen of Houston, and Ashley Williams (Blake) of Bentonville, AR; three grandsons, Carter Williams, Brennan Williams, and Anders Nordell; his siblings, Chris Lewellen (Sue) of Plainview, Phillip Lewellen (Connie) of Plano, Beverly Lewellen of Austin; and numerous nieces and nephews. The family suggests that memorials be made to Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch, PO Box 1890, Amarillo, TX 79174 or First United Methodist Church, 1001 W. 7th Street, Plainview, TX 79072.