JESSE LEWALLEN

1924-2017

Jesse Donald Lewallen of Houston, Texas, joined his beloved wife, Vera, in Heaven on December 19, 2017. Jesse was truly an example of a life well lived. Jesse was born in Wilson, Arkansas on November 7, 1924. As a boy, he moved with his family to a farm outside of Alice, Texas. In 1924, Jesse graduated from Ben Bolt High School and joined the Navy. He served with Squadron VD-3 in the Pacific Theater as an Aviation Radioman First Class. In 1946, Jesse married the love of his life and his best friend, Vera Evelyn Webster. They were married for 68 years. Jesse farmed and also worked as a clerk at a Humble Oil pumping station outside of Alice. In 1959, he moved his family to Houston and became a Right of Way and Claims Agent as part of Standard Oil’s acquisition of Humble Oil. It was a wonderful opportunity for a man with only a high school diploma. He was a valued employee and later a consultant for Exxon Mobil until he was well into his 80s. When the Lewallen family moved to Houston, they needed a church home, so they helped 11 other families start Sharpstown Baptist Church in that newly established community. Jesse had a beautiful baritone voice and loved to sing. He could sing almost any Baptist hymn from memory even into his 90s. Jesse loved working with his hands. He could take apart the engine of a VW bug, build furniture, and repair almost anything. He tilled up some of his backyard and created a seasonal vegetable garden. He loved birds and being outside. Jesse enjoyed reading, whether it was a magazine about planes, a historical novel, or the newspaper. He was an avid sports fan. He had season tickets to the Rockets, Oilers, and Aeros Hockey teams and listened to the Astros on the radio. Jesse and Vera traveled with their family and friends all over the United States and Europe. Jesse loved people and never met a stranger. If he did not know a man’s name, he would call him “Tiger” and salute. He will be remembered for his quick wit, sense of humor, and kindness. Jesse is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, John and Vicki Lewallen; his son, Jerry Lewallen; his daughter, Joy Lewallen; four grandchildren, Isaiah Lewallen, Susannah Rials, Erin Stark, Kristin Lewallen; great granddaughter, Molly Stark; sister-in-law, Eva Lou Cauthen, sister, Audrey Jenkins; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held January 4, at Earthman Funeral Home 12555 Kirkwood from 5-7. Services will be held on January 5 at 2:00 at Tallowood Baptist Church Chapel 555 Tallowood Dr. Burial will be at 11:00 on January 6 at Alice Cemetery.

The family would like to thank the staff and caregivers of Barton House and Vantage Hospice for the care they gave Jesse for the last year and a half of his life. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Meals on Wheels, Galveston Nature Tourism, The National Park Foundation, or the charity of your choice.