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Elmer Tharp Lewis September 8, 1921-October 19, 2009 Elmer T. Lewis, 88, went home to rest on the mountain on Monday, October 19, 2009. Elmer was born September 8, 1921 in Lavilla, Iowa to Fred and Irene Lewis. His mantra in life was 'eat dessert first' and truly, his life was a delicious adventure. After Pearl Harbor was attacked, he enlisted in the Army and served during World War II for three years without leave. When he returned home, he married Dorothy Dorn and moved to Albuquerque to go to college and raise their four children. Elmer was one of the first to get a degree in Industrial Engineering at UNM. He became a homebuilder for Snow Construction, one of the early developers of Albuquerque's Northeast Heights. He also built the PNM Building in Downtown Albuquerque, and worked for development companies Great Western Cities and AMREP that gave birth to Rio Rancho. When he retired, he amassed an enormous collection of McDonald's Happy Meal Toys, trucks, match books, cups, and aluminum cans. He was a master at Mexican Train dominoes, bridge, poker, and sudoku puzzles. He traveled the world, but had a special place in his heart for Mexico where he could watch the ocean and sip some wine or drink a Pacifico. He had a great sense of humor, a playful smile, and loved to be showered with kisses. Elmer was preceded in death by his precious wife of 63 years, Dorothy; his parents and stepmother, Ruth; one daughter, Ellen Lewis; sisters, Edith Brennan and Arvilla Voth; and brother-in-law, Frank Jackson. He is survived by his son, Allen Lewis and wife, Carla Aragon; daughters, Elaine Lewis, and Karen Fincher and husband, Sam all of Albuquerque. Granddaughters, Erin Deutsch and husband Josh of Cincinnati, OH, Sarah Golder and husband Will, Jamie Dotson and husband David, Katie Lewis and husband Shea Putnam all of Dallas, TX; great grandchildren, Alex Deutsch of Cincinnati, OH, Katherine Dani Lapsys of Phoenix, AZ; brother, Delbert Lewis of Bowie MD; sister, Dorothy Jackson of Des Moines, IA; brother-in-law, Mike Voth of Amarillo, TX; and special friend, Kim Dittlinger. The family wishes to thank the staff and residents at the Village of Alameda for their care and friendship, Dr. Natalie Marshall, and Ambercare Hospice. Cremation has taken place, a private memorial will be held by the family at a later time. Donations to benefit the New Mexico Cancer Center can be made in Elmer's name to the Lasso the Moon Foundation, 5300 Goodwin Ave., Dallas, TX 75206. Arrangements through Daniels Family Funeral Services, 4310 Sara Road SE, Rio Rancho, New Mexico 87124 (505) 892-9920
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