James "Sonny" Wayne Lewis III

JAMES WAYNE LEWIS, III September 18, 1941 – November 18, 2025 James Wayne Lewis III, 84, of Prosper, Texas, was born on September 18, 1941, in Temple, Texas to James Wayne Lewis, Jr. and Dewey Irene (Holder). James passed away peacefully on Monday, November 18, 2025, at his home with his family by his side following a lengthy battle with Alzheimer/Dementia. James was better known by his family and friends as Sonny. James and Sharon Sue Hare united in marriage on May 2, 1970, in Garland, Texas. They made their home in Mesquite, Texas. They had two daughters, Kimberly Gwynn who passed away on August 27, 2025, and Misty Irene who resides in Baldwin City, Kansas. James was a wonderful loving and caring husband and father. He was always there to support his girls. It broke his heart not having his first born in his life. Her birthday and Christmas were especially difficult. He would do anything for anyone who needed help. He cared for people. From 1976 to 1984, he moved his family to Independence, Kansas to be near his wife’s family. While in Independence, he opened his own plumbing business. He coached his daughter's softball teams, coached adult slow pitch and umpired all levels of the boys' and girls' teams. as well as the American Legion baseball games. He volunteered at the Rutland Horse Ranch who raised and trained quarter horses to race. He loved horses learning how to train and care for them. The family returned to Texas as that was his love. There was nothing like Texas and a lifetime supporter of the Texas Longhorns. Upon returning to Texas, the family lived in Allen where he also volunteered at a horse ranch that trained cutting horses. Oh, how he loved that. After the girls graduated from high school, Sonny and Sharon made their final move to Prosper, Texas in 1994. James was a residential/commercial plumber. For a period in his life, he also managed and taught skate lessons at the White Rock Skate Center of Dallas and Skate World of Bartlesville, Oklahoma. James had numerous hobbies during his life—competitive roller skating which was his main interest during his childhood days into adulthood. Through the years he also bowled, played golf, fished, did leather work making belts, billfolds, key rings, etc., he worked with wood mainly doing intarsia which he gave Garth Brooks a Hobo and Bag Lady that he made. His dear friend Forrest Garb taught and assisted him in making a guitar which he gave to his grandson Tyler. His final hobby was restoring antique license plates. He loved playing games with his family. He was a member of the Dallas Model A Club from 2000-2024. Upon joining the club, he purchased a 1931 Tudor Deluxe Sedan Model A he called “Slick”. He was very active in the club volunteering for various committees, received awards, and served as President in 2009. Sonny was preceded in death by his parents, one daughter, Kimberly Gwynn, one sister, Cherry Wilson, several brothers-in-law Ralph Maxwell, Larry Wilson, Kenzel Hare, Gene Cook, Morris (Stub) Wilson, Jim Hare and Melvin McLaughlin; sisters-in-law Betty Ann Cook, Janice Reynolds, and Helen McFatridge. Survivors include his wife Sharon of Prosper, Texas, sister Jeannene Maxwell of Belton, Texas and two daughters Paulette Cawthon of Rockwall, Texas and Misty Sullivan and Dan Coates of Baldwin City, Kansas, one brother-in-law Bob McFatridge of Mount Pleasant, Texas and three sisters-in-law Judy Wilson of Independence, Kansas, Florence McLaughlin of Wellsville, Kansas, and Chris Hare of Afton, Oklahoma, grandchildren Richard and Stephanie Payne of Plano, Texas, Chelsea and Nick Vander Tuig of Sunnyvale, Colby and Bailey Sullivan of Pittsburg, Kansas and Tyler Sullivan of Joplin, Missouri and several great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Sonny was especially close to his nephews Leslie and Dan Maxwell. Friends are invited to sign the register and greet family on Saturday, November 22, 2025, at Distinctive Life Cremation & Funeral Services, 1617 North Central Expressway, Plano, Texas 75075 at 9:30 am, Services will begin at 10:30 am. Interment services will be at 1:30 pm at Restland Cemetery, Highway 38, Roxton, Texas. Reverend Michael Hermanson will be officiating. Pallbearers: Colby Sullivan Tyler Sullivan Richard Payne Leslie Maxwell Dan Maxwell Dan Coates Rick Lung John Favero Honorary Pallbearers: Ron Stone Tom Whitten Jim Pell David Garb

James "Sonny" Wayne Lewis III

September 18, 1941 - November 18, 2025