Ode To Dave Lewis "Texas Pit Dogs" [Archive]

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Attila

11-17-2006, 11:13 PM

Dear friends,

Another great Dogman has departed for Heaven. My long time friend, mentor, comrade, Brother, Fellow man of God, Living legend, loved by many, friend to all has passed on to be with the Lord. I cannot put into words the empty feeling I have or that his family and other friends must have as well. Yet I will try. Ya'll may know him only by "Texas Pit Dogs" to me he was a great friend and more Brother Dave Lewis passed on to be with the Saints in Heaven last night peacefully in his home. 11/15/2006 at 80 years of age. He had spent most of his life with our beloved breed. A veteran of war for our country. I devoted man of Christ. Father, Brother and mentor of many. He is now with his beloved wife. Dear God I pray for comfort for his family. In my soul I know he is in a better place. But in my heart is a deep sorrowful pain for now. I morn my friend and mentor. I have written this message before I posted it as not to flood his message box for he is not on the receiving end of it. I kindly ask that you pray for his family that they find comfort in his passing and going on to the Great yard in Heaven. Where the Bulldogs are plenty and never pass. I will be posting this message upon the time I am sent word of date, time and place of his funeral. I urge those that can come to do so as he was a great man and friend to all he met. I know that he was also respected and loved on this site even before I was urged to join. Ya I was reluctant to join an internet site. I am glad I did because I also have made a great many friends that I would have never known of otherwise in my closed little world and circle. I was to spend next week with his family at his home in West Texas. Now I will but not for the same reason. Not totally I will be missing my dear friend. Yes I know it is hard to take as I was just talking to him about an hour before he passed. Shows us we never know the day,time or hour that our time will be up. Just as we were making plans for a feast and fellowship and more years to go. He even requested that I bring him a dog and that I was going to do.
Now he gets to enjoy the fruits of the Spirit and Be in the company of our Lord. What a glorious time that must be for him. No more sickness no more pain. He and his wife together again. Surrounded by dogs past and all the rest of the family that went there before him. A glorious day indeed for my dear friend. That is the comforting thoughts that his family, and us as his friends must have. Though I cry I know he is in a much better place. With no stinking BSL haunting his every day. Another dogman safe from the ever annoying stench of liberal AR folks messing with our rights. I hear his chuckle at the thought of that. Can't chase me no longer. Oh what a joy.

I bid him good bye for now. But he will be there when I get there.

God Rest his Soul,

William

hillbilly

11-17-2006, 11:20 PM

a great loss,r.i.p.

Bullyboi

11-17-2006, 11:23 PM

Very sad.... Rest In Peace, Sending good thoughts to his family :(

14rock

11-17-2006, 11:25 PM

Oh boy Tex. I was notified about 30 mins ago and was hoping it wasnt true, was a mistake, until I was sent this link. You are one the fellows I was really looking forward to meeting in July, I'm convinced we will still meet up, but it may be some time longer then I expected. Then again, it could be tomarrow. Whenever the day comes, we will share a glass of shine, and pat our favorite dogs on the head for the rest of eternity. Your in a better place, and although it pains me to think of your passing, I know you went out like a bulldog. You never let on your ailments, nor asked for any form of help. You stuck your head down, and did what had to be done, and cared for what is worth caring for. It was nice to know you Dave, take it easy up there.

mrsmickey351

11-17-2006, 11:26 PM

We will keep his family and friends in our prayers. I am sorry to hear of this loss.

Marty

11-17-2006, 11:28 PM

Man, this cuts very deep, he was a great man, RIP my brother :(

Suki

11-17-2006, 11:30 PM

Tex, my "friend", you will be missed... in many, many ways...

TY for all your wonderful stories, and delightful PM's=I will miss them, ...:(
I will not mourn, any more, I've no tears left, ...but look forward to "chatting", again. one day.:)
you are once again with your wife, and happy, as I know how much you missed her.

and to your family and friends: I am truly sorry for your loss. May peace find its way to you all.
RIP, "Tex" :) ...save me a seat!

purplepig

11-17-2006, 11:31 PM

I am totally at a loss for words. I truely loved that man, and respected him, and cant but feel, selfishly, a loss personally, to the bulldogs, and to this site. You are so right, none of us have a clue when we will be taken. I am quite sure that he is in total bliss being in the presense of Jesus, "to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord". He had invited my family an I to have thanksgiving with him also. I just feel loss. Reaffirms the fact that we must take advantage of every opportunity we have.

I too pray that his family may find peace in this hour of loss. I know he passed on a legacy of strength and faith to his children and grand kids.

I was thinking the other day how we needed to have a sitdown with him and a voice recorder and put it all on paper, now his memories are lost to us!! Such a loss.

William, thank you so much for posting this.

14rock

11-17-2006, 11:39 PM

Is there anything that needs to be done for his family? I will do whatever I'm capable of doing. Just let me/us know, and its done.

scratchin dog

11-17-2006, 11:54 PM

RIP Tex. You will be missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

Attila

11-18-2006, 12:49 AM

Rock,

I will post more when his daughter Jessica contacts me again. He had great grandchildren too. It was his grandson that found him. I passed from natural causes heart failure. His legs and back were bothering him so he got into the hot tub to relax and just went on to be with the Lord in peace. The family is scattered about the country so she said it will be a few days before they get together and figure out the date. I know that she is busy so I will call the two funeral homes in the morning to see which he is at and try to get some details. I will post what I find and leave for West Texas most likely. I hope that his grandson will stay on at the farm and keep the dogs and animals. He has been a great help to Dave the past year or so. I would like to send a nice arrangement of flowers or more. I have room in the car if some one wants to ride with me. If not that is fine I will represent the group. Thank you all for your kind words for our friend. I will pass them along to the family. Happy Bulldoggen to my dear friend. He will be waiting on us. Much love to my friends. He loved this site and the friends he got to meet. Be blessed.

truegames

11-18-2006, 01:28 AM

Im very sorry to hear this I'll really miss reading his post and hearing his opinion on how things are done these days. My thoughts and prayers will be with his family and friends.

LuvinBullies

11-18-2006, 02:29 AM

The Onward Trail -James Whitcomb Riley

Just as of old,- with fearless root
And placid face and resolute,
He takes the faint, mysterious trail
That leads beyond our earthly hail.

We would cry, as in last farewell,
But that his hand waves, and a spell
Is laid upon our tongues: and thus
He takes unworded leave of us.

And it is fitting:- As he fared
Here with us, so is he prepared
For any fortuning the night
May hold for him beyond our sight.

The moon and stars they still attend
His wandering footsteps to the end,-
He did not question, nor will we,
Their guidance and security.

So, never parting word nor cry:-
We feel, with him, that by and by
Our onward trails will meet and then
Merge and be ever one again.

I just don't have the proper words to say, Dave. You were a driving force here on this earth- here with us- a new friend I was looking so forward to meeting in July...a new friend who influenced my own life in a positive way- I am proud to have met your acquaintance. Thank you and God Bless.

-Beth

DryCreek

11-18-2006, 07:17 AM

I am deeply saddened by his passing. I greatly respected this awesome dogger. His posts were always full of knowledge and sensibility. R.I.P. my friend. My deepest sympathies to his family for their loss.:(

pennsooner

11-18-2006, 07:49 AM

May God rest his soul. He was about my favorite poster. He had been to matches back in the 60's in the small town in Okla. that I'd grown up in and I had always hoped I might get to meet him some day.

Pitbull219

11-18-2006, 08:41 AM

R.I.P "Tex" This is a great loss. Although I only knew him from this site, he was one of the people on here I had the highest respect for. A very knowledgeable man that blessed me with some very wise words that I shall never forget. I guess we will meet at a later time now Tex. It's tough not to feel a deep sorrow right now, but I know he is in a better place.....reunited with his departed loved ones. God rest your soul my friend. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.........

purplepig

11-18-2006, 09:50 AM

Ch.Hog05

11-18-2006, 11:21 AM

R.I.P. his family is in our prayers.

Dirty3rd

11-18-2006, 11:29 AM

You'll be missed bub. I can just see him now with all the greats up there cuttin up. R.I.P.

catcher T

11-18-2006, 01:02 PM

my prayers to his family,,sorry to hear this,,R.I.P.

Mudville_Monsta

11-18-2006, 03:32 PM

I enjoyed PMing with him alot. He was always kind, respectfull, and helpfull. I knew he was ill and he told me he wanted to spend his time helping newbies and those with misconceptions. He loved dogs and was even recently going to take one in from a stranger. Says alot about him. REST IN PEACE!

mydawgs

11-18-2006, 04:04 PM

I am so sorry to hear such sad news. God bless his friends and family...our prayers are with you all. RIP Tex.

surfercalavera

11-18-2006, 05:24 PM

rest in peace !!!

Rasp

11-18-2006, 06:35 PM

I don't post so much, but I still come in a bit to read the threads, and there was a man who's posts I had an interest in reading. If he hadn't made it known he was an old man, I never would have guessed it for the way he used the computer. It was a pleasure to be able to read the posts of a man with so many years of interest within our breed. His death is a sad loss to the forum. My condolences go out to his friends and family. R.I.P.

cheekymunkee

11-18-2006, 07:35 PM

I am saddened to hear of his passing. While we didn't see eye to eye on all topics, we did put our differences aside & were planning on meeting in July for a trip to the gathering. I asked him if he was going to toss me out of his truck somewhere along the way, he assured me he would not & I believed him. He sent me a message for Mr. Mayfield when I visited him in the weeks before his death and when I delivered it, it was met with a smile & a twinkle in his eye. My heart goes out to his family. Sleep well Mr. Lewis, I am sorry I missed meeting you. So many losses this year...........

kane85

11-18-2006, 08:18 PM

dame i'am lost for words he was the type of person that said it how it is that what i liked about him i loved to read the storys he post up on the threads he will be missed R.I.P hope he in heaven with hes favorite dog having a good time.

Verderben

11-18-2006, 08:25 PM

That was nice what you wrote Attila. I always liked reading his stories on here :(

MercedesMama

11-18-2006, 09:04 PM

You know, I read this thread and though I never knew him personally, I find I have tears in my eyes. I always found him to be very knowledgeable and respectful. He will be missed very much by us all I'm sure. Attila, thank you for posting and letting us know. I will be praying for his family. RIP Tex. :(

miakoda

11-18-2006, 11:19 PM

Attila

11-20-2006, 02:11 AM

Oh no............:(

Geez, I honestly never knew I'd meet a stranger (on the internet of all places) who would come into my life & go straight to my heart. He did & in such a way I felt like I had a grandpa again. He was not just a great dogman, but a great man who had not just passion for the dogs, but passion for others who also loved the breed. He also truely cared about people & what was going on in their lives that was non-dog related. I will surely miss him & our talks we had.

However, I do know that he is comfortable now & in a place where sickness no longer resides & happiness reigns eternal.

Until we meet again........... :)
So true my sister. I called the two funeral homes in Andrews which is really the only town of much to have in that county. Neither have him So I am wondering if he is in some other town. Jessica has not contacted me yet. I am sure she has enough on her plate to worry about contacting me. I know he does not live right in Andrews but out of town down a dirt road off one of the highways. Not much help is my round abouts ways to get places. I suck at directions but give me a topo and gridcordinates and I can find anything. Sorry folks I will keep trying. you would thing I would have at least wrote his address down. I can be such a tard.

William

NOLEFAN

11-20-2006, 08:22 AM

What a big loss for us, but a gain for Heaven. I will pray for his family and friends.

Let us know what can be done to help.

Thanks Dave, for your character, service to our country, friendship and unmovable faith. See you later on down the road friend...

SouthernDixie

11-20-2006, 09:38 AM

I will say, he was a very neat person to PM with. He had some great information, neat stories, and a fun sense of humor.

R.I.P "Tex". You'll be missed.

ChiaPit

11-20-2006, 10:00 AM

A great loss for us , but his spirit and wisdom will always stay with those who he shared it with. RIP

Envy's Mom

11-20-2006, 11:09 AM

R.i.p. My prayers are with his friends and family. I am so sorry. What a great man.

Miss Conduct

11-20-2006, 11:19 AM

I saw the heading to this and my stomach drop'd. My heart goes out to his family and friends. I too will miss his wonderful insight, stories, and his PM's.

Maybe someday i will get to meet you, until then R.I.P.

cheekymunkee

11-20-2006, 11:21 AM

I've been thinking about this & I envy him. If i had my way I would go out just like he did, nodding off in a hot tub. What a way to go.......

bahamutt99

11-20-2006, 02:43 PM

That really sucks. :(

Jenn

11-20-2006, 04:03 PM

Sorry for everyone's loss that felt so close to him. It's always a sad time when losing a loved one, especially during the holidays. Death of a loved one is also the time to remember, and smile about the good things, and good times as well. Hopefully, his friends and family will be able to smile about the good times, to cope with the sadness. R.I.P.

mikelia

11-20-2006, 05:20 PM

I am at a loss for words. Although I never knew hi, this also brings tears to my eyes. He was such a knowledgable man and strongly stood up for his beleifs and his dogs. Tex, you will be greatly missed, you have made a big dent in a lot of people and have educated so many more. I loved hearing his stories and have learned so much from him in the time I have been a member of this site. He was one person I really wanted to meet at some point, just to sit and listen to him talk dogs.
RIP and my prayers and thoughts go out to his family.
He is going to have so many happy bulldogs waiting for him, I am sure he still hasn't gotten through all of them. You've made a big influence in the bulldog world Tex.
We will meet again old friend.

Attila

11-20-2006, 10:37 PM

Yes Dave was a man of strong convictions. He was committed to Jesus and his dogs. Those along with family and friends he was most happy. He lived to teach by example how to walk the path of inlightenment and how to be a dogman. What better display of a teacher can you find. We should all strive to be the same for our next generations.

BoiBoi

11-21-2006, 03:57 PM

Damn, Damn, Damn, this is the worst news i've gotten in a little while next to my nephew's dad passing away a little over a month ago. I don't know what to say, i was so happy to hear that he was planning on coming out to the get together in july, i just couldn't wait to meet him and sit around and listen to his wisdom. Damnit this is fu*ked up but i guess god wanted him more than his family and friends did, what are u gonna do god knows best. Well anyway Rest in peace old friend u will be missed for a long time to come, just don't get in 2 much trouble up there lol, RIP old man, i guess our meeting will have to wait till a later date

Attila

11-21-2006, 07:50 PM

Boi Boi, it isn't that God wanted him more. It was God wanted him at that time. We never know what God spares us from when we go. It was a calm and nice way to go really. A man well loved and respected. With a family that loved him the same if not more. He had a good long life. I pray I get to go happy too. Not in pain or screaming and holding onto some hospital bed messing on myself. God granted him a comfortable and smooth transition. For that I am glad. He will be greatly missed but his wife and those that passed before him are re-united with him and have great joy. I believe he had to be happy to hold his dear wife again, to be with mom,dad and all the others. What a joy that must be. Takes the fear out of death when you know where you are going and that you will get to see those you longed for and missed so greatly.

Peace be with you Brother.

bakerbt

11-21-2006, 08:04 PM

R.I.P. Texas Pit Dogs. I have been gone for a few days and it is not good to come back and see this. I know he is in a better place and I will pray for his family.

jadedpitgirl

11-21-2006, 08:05 PM

Just remember, God Never Makes Mistakes; it was his time to rest and God knew this. Here is a poem that helped me through the loss of my beloved aunt, My Nina (R.I.P. 1/21/2005; lost to breast cancer)

God's Garden

God looked around his garden

And found an empty place

He then looked down upon the earth

And saw your tired face

He put his arms around you

And lifted you to rest

God's garden must be beautiful

He always takes the best

He knew the roads were getting rough

And the hills were hard to climb

So he closed your weary eyelids and whispered

"Peace be thine"

It broke our hearts to lose you

But you did not go alone

For part of us went with you

The day God called you home

Rest In Peace, Tex. God Speed On Your Journey Home......

11-30-2006, 07:28 PM

Sorry for the lateness but my condolences to his family and friends. I had quite a few conversations with him and he was always straight up and honest with his advice and words while adding humor at the same time. As much as it is sad to see him go, I'm sure he's in a better place looking down on all of us and our bulldogs.

Deep Regards,

B

monsterVili

12-01-2006, 01:31 PM

sorry to hear the news, have not been on the net lately and the news was like a punch in the gut. i never talked to him but he answered a few of my questions through helping other people. the wisdom poured through his words even on the computer.my prayers will with his family and friends. in one of his post talking about his experiences in the war. humbled me and reminded me how others struggled in ways i could never imagine so i could enjoy my freedoms. to him and all other veterans i say thank you. i only wish i could have said it to him face to face well shaking his hand so he would know how serious i am R.I.P. TEXAS PIT DOGS

ghost 1

12-01-2006, 10:11 PM

R.I.P. brother Tex,,, I was looking foward to meeting you this next summer...

pittfallin

12-02-2006, 02:11 PM

im new to the site, but i pm'ed him a question once and we just went back and forth for a while...he was going to pick someone up in houston and take them to a show in missouri...on the way up he was gonna pick me up to tag along...(i just had surgury so i cant drive to much)....its good to know that theres still some truly nice people in this world...for him to trust me enough to pick up a stranger who said he wanted to go but couldent drive....shows alot about his character

Big Game

12-03-2006, 01:03 AM

I know I am way late, But I wanted to pay my respects with a post. R.I.P. Texas pit dogs. The ''community'' will truely miss you. Big Game

whiteyransom

12-03-2006, 01:50 AM

I HATE TO HEAR OF ANYONE'S PASSING. IT ALWAYS BRINGS THE OLD FEELING TO THE FRONT OF THOSE THAT I'VE LOST. AND TO KNOW THAT HE WAS CLOSE TO US HERE IN THE DOG-WORLD. I KNOW I'VE TAKEN HIS ADVICE ON MORE THAN A COUPLE OF ISSUES IN THE LAST YEAR OR YEAR AND A HALF I BEEN HERE. I HOPE THAT IF THERE IS ANYTHING I CAN DO, YOU'LL LET ME KNOW,,AND LET ALL KNOW. MAYBE A PLACE TO SEND FLOWERS OR SOMETHIN WOULD HELP.IT'S ALWAY'S HARD TO THINK OF THAT "BETTER PLACE" WHEN YOU HAVE TO DEAK WITH SO MANY OTHER FRUSTRATING/SORROWING THOUGHTS,,BUT IT'S TRUE.

R.I.P. BROTHER---GOD BLESS

PiTBuLL200416

12-06-2006, 02:59 PM

I knew him as Robert Lewis, I went to Andrews Texas where he lived to visit him. I met him on this site and he became a mentor to me teaching me the rights and wrongs about how to go about this breed. All the knowledge I have about this breed came from him. My whole day was ruined because I havent been on this site in weeks and the day I decide to check on him and see how he is doing I find out he past away. God bless his family and friends. Rest In Peace Robert David Lewis, AKA "Old Dave".

sedaliapitbulls

12-06-2006, 03:13 PM

I would like to say thanks to TEX for the great advice he gave me when I had my problems. I appreciated it and maby he was looking over me when the bad things happened a week ago. I am greatful to get to know him as a friend and appreciated every minute he spent talking to me in the PM. Was looking forward to meeting him and never got that chance hopefually some day I still will.