Henry Ashby Lewis

Henry Ashby Lewis

August 3, 1936 – February 22, 2025

Born in Campo, Colorado, to Andrew Ewuart and Clara Bell Lewis at the height of the Dust Bowl, Ashby’s childhood started in a dugout. His family moved to Dalhart, Texas, where he graduated high school. During high school, Ashby served in the United States Army Reserve and was honorably discharged in 1954. While working a ranch in Van Horn, Texas, Ashby made a $10 bet that he could graduate from college. After packing up saddle and spurs and heading north, he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science and Biology from West Texas State University (now West Texas A&M). He earned an animal breeding certificate from the Biological Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison becoming one of the first people certified to perform artificial insemination in livestock. 

Ashby married Irene Detten in May 1960. They were married for 64 years. They made their home in Panhandle, Texas. Ashby lived to see his children graduate from high school, technical school and college and be successful in their lives. Daughter, Rose Mary, retired to Idaho. His son, Andrew, was killed in a flying accident in 1998. He had no grandchildren.

He was Chief of Water Quality and Pollution Control for the Canadian River Municipal Water Authority (CRMWA) where he worked for 34 years. In that time he accumulated many certifications, honors and awards. He was a registered Professional Sanitarian, listed as Who’s Who of Professionals by the American Chemical Society International and served as the president of the Texas Environmental Health Association, American Chemical Society, Groundwater Protection Council and the American Water Works Association. He acquired specialized knowledge in freshwater biology and pollution ecology; bacterial pollution surveillance; dam operations; and handling of explosives. As if that wasn’t enough, Ashby served as a deputy Park Ranger and was recognized as a VIP for the US Department of the Interior National Park Service. In that capacity he saved the life of a young man from drowning at Lake Meredith. His career achievement was helping to develop CRMWA’s desalination project near Logan, New Mexico. The project removes brackish water flowing into the Canadian River ensuring water quality for the Texas Panhandle.

Ashby owned and operated Lewis Spraying Service for over 30 years. He was a commercial pilot with multi-engine and instrument ratings and accumulated over 14,000 flying hours. He achieved the rank of Colonel in the Confederate Air Force. He served on the board of the Panhandle Carson County Airport and was a driving force to get the airport established. Ashby’s love of agriculture was recognized by receiving the Service to Agriculture Award from the Texas Farm Bureau.

Ashby enjoyed hunting and gun sports. He bagged an Alaskan Moose earning a Boone and Crocket Silver medal. He also brought down a trophy class black bear and trophy class grizzly bear. Those stories were better than any fishing story. He shared his love of hunting and guns serving as a Gun Safety Instructor for Texas Parks and Wildlife and as an NRA Safe Hunter instructor.

Ashby expected honesty and hard work from those with whom he associated. He was fiercely private; a man of few words. He lived his life to the fullest and overcame singularly mountainous challenges. He will be missed. He was dearly loved. A cowboy through and through, to honor Ashby’s memory, please consider a donation to Bear Hug Cattle Company, www.bearhugcattlecompany.org.

The Rosary will be at 6:00 pm, Thursday, February 27, 2025, at St. Theresa Catholic Church. Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 am, Friday, February 28, 2025 at St Theresa Catholic Church. Cremation is under the direction of Minton Chatwell Funeral Directors of Panhandle.