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Lewis Clayton Hearon

Sunday, February 21, 2021
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Lewis Clayton Hearon

January 10,1933 – February 18, 2021.

On Thursday, February 18, 2021, Lewis Clayton Hearon entered Heaven peacefully from his home in San Angelo, Texas, with family by his side to see him along his way. He entered as an honest and decent man, as ready as any to stand before God.

He was born in Gorman County, Texas at home, being the fourth child of seven; to Christopher and Effie Hearon. His early life was in travel with family to find work harvesting seasonal crops between Texas and California amidst the great depression. He left his family and went out on his own at the age of twelve. He slept his first few nights underneath a highway overpass until an ice delivery man gave him a job as his helper. Soon after he became employed as a store clerk for Industrial Supply Company where he worked for the next 22 years.

Living above their shop in Snyder, Texas he met his future wife of 68 years at the skating rink. At first sight Wanda thought he looked a bit poorly in his cloths, which were given to him years before by the ice delivery man. From the sight of “those pants” she could tell the man helping him out was of much larger size. By this look, she told him she only wanted to friends when he pressed the idea getting married. She then stated, she would not marry him if he was the last man on earth. A statement he would tease her about and not let her forget. He was too persistent, as he was with most aspects in his life, and soon won her over. After marrying on June 28, 1952, she blessed him with three daughters, a lifetime of marriage and a happy home.

In 1971 he co-founded his own company, with funds mainly coming from the winnings of a few local poker games played in the backrooms of various shops. He said, “All the other guys would drink and eventually slip up, and then I could win. But after a while some got mad and didn’t want to play with me anymore because I would never let them win their money back.” He said this was one of the only things he ever felt a little wrong about doing in business. We could never figure out why, but that was how honest he was about the actions he took in his life. Basin Testers Incorpo

Basin Testers Incorpo rated first building was in Odessa, TX. He had two trucks which him and his partner Gary Slaughter used to spray weeds. Lewis arranged his weed spraying truck in his own way and within a year or so most of his competitors had copied his layout.

Lewis and family moved to Andrews, Texas in 1978 and opened up a second shop for the business. He semi-retired and sold the business in 1997. He served as a deacon for Andrews Church of Christ, was on the board of the National Bank of Andrews for over 30 years, had many oil dealings, loaned money to friends he believed in to start or expand their businesses, was on the Board of Andrews County Appraisal District; and did all this with an eighth-grade education.

Lewis was a determined force of nature, always ready to help anyone in need; step-up and lead; or make a new friend. He never missed an opportunity to have a good time playing cards and laugh. Whether it was pulling a quarter out of a kid’s ear, telling the corniest joke ever heard or pranking someone. He loved bass fishing with his wife and many, many friends. His main spot became Lake Amistad along the Rio Grande river, where he would take summer camping trips with his grandchildren. Finding adventure there in old railroad tunnels filled with bats and going on Indian arrowhead hunts with them. Lewis had a life-long passion for restoring Model A’s and other vintage automobiles. He enjoyed his time as a member of the Andrews and Odessa Car Clubs. Touring with his car buddies, going to and entering shows, and winning more than a few trophies.

Survived by his wife, Wanda Jean Vernon Hearon of San Angelo, Tx. Three daughters, Connie and husband, Randy Gill of San Angelo, Tx.; Marsha and husband, Chris of Midland, Tx. and predeceased by Sheryl Jeton Anderson.

Grandchildren: Kenneth Clayton Anderson of San Angelo, Tx.; Allison Gregory Rogers and husband, Aaron, and great-grandchildren, Nash, Georgia, Blake (of Odessa, Tx.) and Dakota, of McKinney, Tx.; Karah Anderson Crawford and husband, Eric, and greatgrandchildren, Maki and Baylor Lucas, and Addie, Aubrie, Kannon Crawford of San Angelo, Tx. and Kelan Gage Lehr and husband, Grant of Odessa, Tx. Step-grandchildren: Justin Gill of San Angelo, Tx.; Jenai Gill Girvics and husband, Sandijs, and son, Ryland of Conroe, Tx., and Julie Gill Scranton and husband, Justin, and children, Journey and Brodie of Broken Arrow, Ok.

Arrangements by McNett Funeral Home in Andrews Texas.

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